ITEM DESCRIPTION:

We are offering The Book of Knowledge 1950s reproduction of the Indian Shooting Bear mechanical bank. In the late 1950s, The Book of Knowledge commissioned Gray Iron Casting Company in Mt. Joy, PA to reproduce its collection of original mechanical banks. Gray Iron was selected because they still used the original hand crafting methods used in the late 1890s to make the original mechanical banks. The result is this beautiful cast iron mechanical bank just like the original; handmade and hand decorated. At the same time, late 1950s, a public relations event was initiated. Lending institutions were asked to sponsor and publicize local exhibits of The Book of Knowledge penny bank collection and to offer a limited number of the replicas for sale to the general public for $10.00. Cast into the bottom is "REPRODUCED FROM ORIGINAL IN COLLECTION OF THE BOOK OF KNOWLEDGE". Some savings banks gave these banks away to customers in the 1960s. On the bottom is a circular advertising piece with the name of the savings bank. Below is the action of the bank: 1) Cock the rifle by pushing back the lever on top of the barrel; the Indian lowers his head to take aim and the bear closes his mouth. 2) Place a coin on top of the barrel. 3) Pull the lever on the base toward you to fire the rifle. 4) As the rifle fires, the coin is shot into the bear; the Indian's head comes up and the bear's mouth drops open. Your savings are retrieved thru a twist trap on the bottom. Base size is 10 inches long by 3 inches wide and 7½ inches tall. This is an original Book of Knowledge bank. Condition is near mint with NO breaks or repairs. Priority shipping to the west coast will be $27.50 plus insurance; your ZIP may be cheaper. pc421