Tonight, I am listing some antique cast iron Mechanical Banks. The banks are being listed with
no reserve.
The owner has decided to part with much of collection and these are some of his finest pieces. This is the
“BUTTING BUFFALO”
Mechanical Bank patented March 20,1888 and was manufactured by the Kyser & Rex Co., Frankford, Pa. This unique bank is one of the owner’s
favorites
and is truly a
superior example
of the “Butting Buffalo” bank. There are no cracks, breaks or other damage and it still retains an
abundance
of paint, especially considering the age of the bank. Overall, the bank is in
excellent condition.
It represents the figure of a buffalo in the act of butting a boy who is climbing a tree in order to reach an animal at the top of the stump. For some years the animal in the top of the stump was thought to be a small bear; however, the patent papers clearly state that the animal is a raccoon.
This bank is very RARE
and almost
never
comes up for auction. There is a casting variation located just at the base of the tree stump. On some banks there will be a bump or mound and on others it will not be present. This bank has the mound present.
To operate, a coin is first placed in the provided slot on the top of the tree stump behind the raccoon. The lever is depressed and in so doing the buffalo raises his head butting the boy. The boy moves up the trunk and as he does so the raccoon withdraws back into the stump and the coin drops into the stump and on into the base. Upon releasing the lever, all the figures automatically return to their original position.
The bank is in proper working order. Anyone having this bank in their collection would, indeed, be considered fortunate. It has the rectangular coin trap typical of the Kyser & Rex banks. The key is not included,but can be acquired from a dealer/collector. The size is approximately 7 3/4″ long, 2 3/4″ wide and 6″ high. Butting Buffalo banks in similar condition have recently sold for
$6,000.- $9,000.
at auction. Please view the other banks up for auction tonight including a superb
“DARKTOWN BATTERY”
(has the patent design as the main photo)
mechanical bank.
“
GOOD LUCK TO ALL BIDDERS!