Help identifying vintage Ho scale brass steam locomotive


P

pnova56

Member
First thing first, I am new to message boards. This is the first message board that I ever participated in. With that being said let’s get down to business.
Back in January of 2023 my son and I went to a local train shop and purchased a used 4-8-2 Mountain brass locomotive. The train shop was mainly sold Lionel and basically all they could tell me about the locomotive is that it ran. On the bottom of the locomotive there are two makers marks. I have tried to identify the manufacturer but I have not been able to. Any help would be appreciate.

Thanks
Patrick
 

Attachments

  • 6CE091C8-276A-4E49-9071-AE155C700890.jpeg
    6CE091C8-276A-4E49-9071-AE155C700890.jpeg
    328.9 KB · Views: 81
  • E0EA13E8-FB40-4DFD-8DEE-46C862FBC0A5.jpeg
    E0EA13E8-FB40-4DFD-8DEE-46C862FBC0A5.jpeg
    429 KB · Views: 87
  • 1CB791E4-55F8-4313-8D9D-222B5FFB2845.jpeg
    1CB791E4-55F8-4313-8D9D-222B5FFB2845.jpeg
    595.8 KB · Views: 81
  • BC0E5864-2E37-450B-B93A-02499F86233D.jpeg
    BC0E5864-2E37-450B-B93A-02499F86233D.jpeg
    658.9 KB · Views: 78
  • 94573D4C-9A7F-4A3C-941C-9A01FE2448B7.jpeg
    94573D4C-9A7F-4A3C-941C-9A01FE2448B7.jpeg
    520.4 KB · Views: 76
  • 4194743C-3DA3-4EE4-9243-79E66B535CFB.jpeg
    4194743C-3DA3-4EE4-9243-79E66B535CFB.jpeg
    487.2 KB · Views: 73
Just guessing here, looking at the brass wheel sets, that this is an old kit locomotive. But just a guess. Sorry, not a clue on the mfg.
Welcome as a new member.
 
westtexjohn said:
Just guessing here, looking at the brass wheel sets, that this is an old kit locomotive. But just a guess. Sorry, not a clue on the mfg.
Welcome as a new member.
Click to expand...
Not only old, but has been amended some. The motor shares many characteristics of my 1950's Varney (but is not a Varney) also the driveshaft is a more modern configuration.


Curious myself as to the mfg. stamp.

Dave
 
So it could be a Bowser Brass 4-8-2 the boiler was cast this engine is from 1948 Originally from Knapp Trains 1946

bowser2.jpg


Although the sets were pictured in the catalog with 'Knapp Lines' livery, they came with decals for 10 different railroads for the loco and 9 different road names for the passenger cars. The DC motor supplied in the locomotive featured an Alnico permanent magnet. Set #300 was priced at $34.50 and set #301 sold for $27.50. The 4-8-2 loco and tender were offered for separate sale at $19.50 (catalog item #400) or in kit form for $15.00 (catalog item #401). Interestingly, all the wheels on the locomotive were flanged
 
This must be an original Knapp model a year or two prior to the Bowser 1948 model.
Bowser put flanges on all the drivers, cleaned up the casting, and made the rods and valve gear more proto - interesting!
The giveaway is the "cross" on top of the cab roof - plus the eves of the cab roof.
I will venture to say that the "mfg stamp" that is showing is actually a casting creation from where the brass poured into the mold.
I bet that this thing would pull the paint off the wall?

Brass Knapp 4-8-2 Mountain HO Scale Steam Locomotive - Pre-Bowser manufacture
1681200852173.png


Welcome to the forum, PATRICK
 
Last edited:
I would like to thank all of you for the warm welcome and the help.
So original I thought it looked like a Bowser but all of drive wheels are flanged and has deferment hardware.
I did a Google search on Fritz. It appears that they are a brass foundry. At least it seems that way. I couldn’t find any specific information on Fritz as a company.
I’m thinking that there is a good chance that the locomotive is a Fritz from the 1940s!
Thank you all for the help.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.



Back
Top