Skip to main content
Video Loading
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 9

Mechanical Bank 'Sentry', circa 1925

$2,250
£1,700.72
€1,954.43
CA$3,133.11
A$3,485.46
CHF 1,827.12
MX$42,591.44
NOK 23,266.10
SEK 21,901.82
DKK 14,589.09
Shipping
Retrieving quote...
The 1stDibs Promise:
Authenticity Guarantee,
Money-Back Guarantee,
24-Hour Cancellation

About the Item

"Sentry" tin mechanical bank is very difficult to find, having been made in Germany by the company Saalheimer & Strauss for the British market. The rifle and the push lever on top of the bank are particularly vulnerable, as they protrude. Since the bank was made of tin, these parts were often broken off or bent. This particular example is completely original in every aspect;l no restoration and no touch-up or repaint of any kind.. It is brightly colored in red, black, white, and brown with a simulated wood grain finish. The nonsensical graphics on the rear of the bank complete the decoration; they are quite interesting and whimsical. The bank operates as follows: press the lever on top of the bank; the Sentry's eyes roll, while both arms come to the center (port position) as he moves his rifle. See image. The horizontal coin slot in his hat is now exposed and ready to deposit a coin, following which, releasing the lever returns the Sentry to the starting position. Coins are removed via the original rectangular key lock coin trap. This would be a nice addition to a discerning collection of either antique toys or vintage mechanical banks. Dimensions: Height to top of roof is 7 1/2" Height to top of plunger and overall is 8 5/8" Width 3 1/4" Depth 1 15/16". I am a leading specialist in the field of antique mechanical coin banks, having been buying, selling, and examining these fine objects for 40 years. This experience makes me well qualified to analyze, evaluate, and guarantee the authenticity of original examples. Note: Please see my over 100+ other mechanical bank and toy listings I am offering for sale.
  • Creator:
    Saalheimer & Strauss (Manufacturer)
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 8.63 in (21.93 cm)Width: 3.25 in (8.26 cm)Depth: 1.94 in (4.93 cm)
  • Style:
    Folk Art (Of the Period)
  • Materials and Techniques:
  • Place of Origin:
  • Period:
  • Date of Manufacture:
    1925
  • Condition:
    Wear consistent with age and use.
  • Seller Location:
    Incline Village, NV
  • Reference Number:
    Seller: #153/27-8291stDibs: LU9732884813

More From This Seller

View All
Mechanical Bank "Saluting Sailor", circa 1920s
By Saalheimer & Strauss
Located in Incline Village, NV
This mechanical bank "Saluting Sailor" was manufactured in the 1920s by Saalheimer & Strauss Company in Germany. It is in excellent all original condition and brightly hand painted in colors of red, white, blue, yellow, and grey. There is an ever so slight crease to the left on dial. The bank operates as follows: Press down on the lever in front just beneath the steering wheel. The sailor raises his right arm and lowers his left arm revealing a slot on the right side of the bank where the sailor's left arm was, inviting the deposit of a coin (see image). Release the lever, and the arms return to their original position (see image). Coins are removed via the original key lock trap. The bank measures: 6 3/4" high 4 7/8" wide 2" deep I am a leading specialist in the field of antique mechanical coin banks...
Category

Early 20th Century German Folk Art Toys and Dolls

Materials

Tin

"Kadi" Pre-war Wind-Up Toy by Lehman Company. Germany Circa 1905
By E.P. Lehman Co.
Located in Incline Village, NV
"Kadi" is the name of this rare Chinese themed vintage German made mechanical toy; depicting two turn of the century Chinese men with pigtails walking along, while carrying a large t...
Category

Antique Early 1900s German Folk Art Toys and Dolls

Materials

Tin

Vintage "Masuyama" Lehman Wind-Up Toy. German, Circa 1913 Rare
By E.P. Lehman Co.
Located in Incline Village, NV
Early 1900's German hand painted and lithographed tin wind-up toy, by premier tin and whimsical toy maker, Ernest Paul Lehman, circa 1913. This charming and unique toy portrays a Ja...
Category

Vintage 1910s German Folk Art Toys and Dolls

Materials

Tin

"Joe Penner" Vintage Clockwork Windup Toy by Louis Marx Co American Circa 1930's
By Louis Marx and Company
Located in Incline Village, NV
Fabulous American vintage all tin wind-up toy with attached key and clockwork mechanism, whereby upon winding it up, the character (Joe Penner) waddles aimlessly across the floor, hat flying in the air with notorious cigar in motion (see attached video with listing). The toy is in wonderful and complete original condition with all original parts and authentic factory paint. It is often found incomplete (cigar or hat missing more often than not); and usually doesn't work properly. My example works great and is in nice bright original paint and lithography, in multiple colors of a black and white checkered suit...
Category

Vintage 1930s American Folk Art Toys and Dolls

Materials

Tin

Rare Vintage "Rolly Dolly" Musical Toy; Germany, Circa 1895
Located in Incline Village, NV
Vintage and rare "Rolly Dolly" Musical Toy by unknown German manufacturer; circa 1895; contemporaneous with early Schoenhut toys, it depicts a "Well Dres...
Category

Antique 1890s German Folk Art Toys

Materials

Composition

Vintage Tin Wind Up Toy by Lindstrom, "Dancing Katinka" American, Circa 1930
By Lindstrom Tool & Toy Company 1
Located in Incline Village, NV
Antique toys like this (wind ups) are difficult to find in outstanding operating condition as this one (see the video attached) because of the rough play they would have received from the children who owned them. In very good and all original condition and paint in green, white, yellow, and flesh tone; the paint and lithography has no touch up or repaint of any kind; there is zero restoration. To operate, just turn clockwise the attached clockwork wind up key on the back of the girl and the she dances around in a circular motion for quite some time. "Dancing Katinka" is an all tin wind up toy...
Category

Vintage 1930s American Folk Art Toys and Dolls

Materials

Tin

You May Also Like

Late 19th Century Fairground Knock Down Figure
Located in London, GB
Jeu De Massacre Fairground Figure One of the finest examples of a late 19th Century fairground knock down figure we have had the pleasure to obtain, in ...
Category

Antique Early 1900s French Folk Art Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Wood

Original Vintage Toy, Wind Up Circus Performer, 1930s
Located in Roma, IT
This Wind up Circus Performer is an original vintage toy. Vintage wind up mechanical toy representing a circus performer. Made in tin by th...
Category

Early 20th Century French Toys

Materials

Metal

Early 20th Century English Folk Art Jigger Doll
Located in London, GB
Early 20th Century English Folk Art Jigger Doll A great example of an early 20th century English hand carved folk art articulated jigger doll. With charming hand carved boots, moustache and top hat, metal pins in its joints for articulation purposes. Stood on a metal wire stand...
Category

Vintage 1920s British Folk Art Toys

Materials

Pine

Early 20th Century folk art fairground massacre knock down figure
Located in London, GB
Early 20th Century folk art fairground massacre knock down figure A folk art / primitive hand-crafted fairground knock down game figure. Constructed from pine and metal, hand painted detail with metal support hinges when the figure is knocked off...
Category

Vintage 1920s French Folk Art Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Pine

Dutch Figural Peddler Clock
Located in Bradenton, FL
19th century Dutch figural peddler clock is characterized by a male peddler dressed in a black topcoat and top hat, holding a clock in his right hand. His clothing is adorned with re...
Category

Antique 19th Century Dutch Dutch Colonial Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Lead

Early 20th Century American Folk Art Mechanical Whirligig Figure
Located in London, GB
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Mechanical Whirligig Figure This quirky and highly sculptural early 20th Century American folk art mechanical whirligig figure is stood on ...
Category

Vintage 1920s American Folk Art Weathervanes

Materials

Metal