Quick course on fake cast iron toys-banks-etc... By: Kimberly Rager

First, look carefully at the mold marks. It's called "cast iron" because it's cast in a mold - that is, it's poured into a mold and allowed hardening. The mold leaves all kinds of clues behind on the "casting." 

 Once the iron hardened, the mold was opened, the sand was washed off, and the casting was sent off for finishing.

On modern castings, the mold sections are often not properly aligned before they are locked together.

Second, look at how well the separate pieces of cast iron fit together. The seams between pieces on most early cast iron toys are so tight they almost disappear. On the new fakes, there are gaps so large you can slip a piece of cardboard through them.

Third, look for coarse granular surfaces. In early cast iron, the molds were formed from very fine sand. That texture can still be seen or felt on the pieces but it is very fine and uniform.

On newer mass-produced pieces you will find areas of very coarse surface, sometimes with substantial grainy pieces stuck to the surface.

Fourth, study the paint. Paint is one of the most important witnesses. It's difficult (but not impossible) to fake the look of old paint. On old pieces the paint is thicker, the color is brighter, the surface is shiny and very hard.

Fifth, look at the bolts holding the piece together.

On an old piece the bolts will be so flush to the surface that you almost don't see them. On a new piece, they will often stick out from the surface. Often their heads will not be parallel to the surface because they had to be forced into place to hold together uneven parts. If you find Phillips head screws - look no further.

They were only introduced about 1940 so they don't belong in an old piece of cast iron.

Sixth, once you've looked at the bolts, take them out and look at the insides of the piece. If it's been spray painted you'll find evidence of the paint along the inner edges. Look for deep even uniform rust on all the parts.

Seventh, if you've got a piece with many parts, look at the material that every piece is made of. ORIGINAL pieces would be copper wire or chain link of some type.

So that's a quick course on fake cast iron Folks.

HAVE A GREAT DAY!