The Kenton Brand Cast Iron Combination Safe Bank
In 1893, a struggling lock company in Kenton, Ohio cast its first toy: a bank. That decision launched the Kenton Hardware Company on a path to becoming one of the world's largest cast iron toy factories — makers of horse-drawn fire trucks, toy automobiles, and the Gene Autry cap pistol that sold two million units in eighteen months. This combination safe still bank, marked "KENTON BRAND" on the base, is the product category that started it all. Ornate Victorian scrollwork, combination knob, coin slot, and hinged rear panel. Pieces held by the Smithsonian. Ohio Historical Society marker at the factory site. Acquired from eBay seller jpnkoi, March 2026
The Century Machine Co. Cast Iron Maker’s Plaque
Not every piece in the SSC collection comes from a kitchen. This ornate cast iron maker's plaque was bolted onto commercial bakery equipment manufactured by The Century Machine Company of Cincinnati, Ohio. Century built ovens and bread-making machines for wholesale bakers, developed portable field bakeries that fed American soldiers in every theater of World War II, earned the Army-Navy "E" Award for wartime production excellence — and was liquidated in 1955 when its market disappeared. This plaque may be among the last tangible artifacts of the company's existence. Acquired from eBay seller gerardg55, March 2026.
The A.C. Williams Co. Sad Iron
Before the cast iron banks. Before the toy automobiles and airplanes sold through Woolworth's and Kresge's. Before A.C. Williams became the largest manufacturer of cast iron toys in the world — there was a heavy, solid sad iron with a detachable wooden handle. This one is marked "WILLIAMS CO." and "RAVENNA, OHIO" and dates to the transitional period when miniature models of this very product, made for traveling salesmen, caught a buyer's eye and launched one of Ohio's most celebrated foundries into the toy business. Acquired from Etsy seller stoneridgeattic, March 2026.