A rare Marklin 4-wheel horse drawn spirit fired fire engine ...

Hammer

£6,200

A rare Marklin 4-wheel horse drawn spirit fired fire engine c.1902. Of cast iron and tinplate construction painted in red with black, yellow and dark green detailing, fitted with copper boiler, tap, sight glass missing, (however bottom fixing still in place), copper chimney, copper pipework, spoked flywheel, gear wheel, single horizontal cylinder plus two smaller vertical cylinders, with copper expansion tank, complete with original burner. Gamages brass retail plaque to side of boiler. Front 8 spoked wheels 85mm diameter, rear spoked wheels, 135mm, overall length from drawbar to boiler tray approx 500mm. Complete with its original tinplate front wheel support to stop movement when running and tinplate water funnel. A few parts are missing- two carriage lamps, drivers seat, chimney top, hose reel and sight glass/water gauge. These could be replicated/replaced. Overall, an exceptionally good Museum quality example of this rare item, showing limited signs of alterations and restoration. Estimate £7,000-10,000
Note: This example has been verified as genuine by Chris Littledale of The Brighton Toy & Model Museum. Chris is one of the U.K.'s leading experts in the field of antique tinplate toys and model railways.