Dale Model Co. Cast model jeep
Our normally dull lives were upended last week as a neighbor dog we watched during the day passed away, then our dog Zollie suffered a slipped disc, meaning he needs some special attention, and one of Ann’s relatives suddenly landed into the middle of a messy divorce, with Ann lending a hand in that process.
Amongst all of that, on Wednesday I spotted an unusual model jeep for sale for only $15. The seller lived a few hours away from me in Portland, so I expressed interest and sent her an email, asking if she could mail it. A 67-year-old woman named Jan responded with an email explaining that it was her deceased husband’s jeep and that she has some medical issues that would prohibit her from mailing it. This led to more emails between us, as it took me a while to identify the jeep (A Dale Model Co. jeep, which is a derivative of a Fromburg model jeep). As we got to know each other better, I decided to drive to Portland and meet her. She just seemed like a nice person.
I ended up spending a couple hours with Jan, learning about her much older husband (he was born in 1914), about his teenage years working in the CCC in Oregon, his Navy experience in Hawaii during WWII building plane hangars and his long work as an engineer with the city of Portland, erecting buildings, parks and fountains.
We also walked through some of the stuff she has left to sell (she’s downsizing), most of which isn’t really worth much. However, she does have an cool machete from her husband that has a leather sheath. I had a suspicion that it might be something of value, as it has a great weight to it. She was willing to give it to me and have me pay her once we figured out a value. I told her I was concerned that it was quite valuable and beyond my budget, but I took some pics and promised I would figure out what it was.
#128 Collins & Sons Legitimus Machete and a #13 Leather Scabarrd.
Last night when I returned home I did some research, discovering the machete is a Collins & Sons Legitimus 27″ Machete #128 with a number #13 leather scabbard. It was likely made around 1941. Values range from up to a couple hundred dollars, though that’s someone’s asking price on eBay. I reported my findings to her and we struck a fair deal, one that includes returning to Portland to help her with some more of her stuff.
So, in the end, that little $15 jeep will cost me more than $200 after gas, food and the cost of the machete! But, helping someone out and making a new friend seems worth the cost.
Size comparison between the Al-toy CJ-2A and the Dale Model Co WWII jeep.
here’s a link to another one for sale on Ebay, not as nice as yours Dave, but still a reasonable price.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/REDUCED-PRICE-RARE-VINTAGE-DALE-MODEL-WWII-WW2-WILLYS-MB-FORD-GPW-JEEP-DIECAST/254355587102?hash=item3b38c6401e:g:lukAAOSwE~pdQb01
Great score for the collector –Finding a Dale Model Jeep with the front bumper intact is becoming a challenge. Congratulations!
Mike: Thanks for the link. The ebay one is also missing the steering wheel, so I’m feeling pretty good about my purchase.
Turns out I posted one back in 2012 and, while it has the steering wheel, it also seems to have the same issue with mine in terms of it sliding down the steering hole: http://www.ewillys.com/2012/09/29/dale-model-company-wwii-recognition-model-on-ebay/
Gerald: Thanks. Do you have any idea which is more valued, the Fromburg or the Dale? I know very little about the value of these.
I kept seeing that ad when it was $20 and couldn’t talk myself into the 45 minute round trip to get it. Oh well.
Blaine, I had a chance to have lunch with my cousin, too (Ingrids: https://www.yelp.com/biz/ingrids-scandinavian-food-oregon-city-2). So, it was definitely worth the drive for me.
Ann’s military experience with explosives could come in handy during a relative’s divorce, especially a messy divorce. Might be a bit loud but it will be settled much quicker than the traditional way using lawyers.
Some info from the Jeep 3B Page, a good source of info on Jeep Toys.:
Framburg
Framburg ID Model. One of the companies that built Jeep recognition models (also known as ID or spotter models) was H.A. Framburg of Chicago. Framburg has been manufacturing hand crafted lamps and fixtures since 1905, and just like many other companies, found their main manufacturing materials deemed necessary for the war effort. A contract with the army for ID models kept them operational through the war. This hollow cast Jeep model has fixed wheels and only the steering wheel is not part of the main casting. As the war drew to a close, the dies for ID vehicles were no longer of much use to Framburg who was eager to get back to the business of making lamps, so they were sold off.
Dale Model Co.
Dale ID ModelA Mr. Dale, who had worked for Framburg, bought the vehicle dies and set up his own business, Dale Model Company, also in Chicago. Dale found a new market for the ID model vehicles: war souvenirs and sandbox toys. To make the toys more appealing to the market, working wheels were added, and working turrets on the tanks. While this made the vehicle more playable, it also made the parts easier to lose. Most of the models which were used as toys are missing steering wheels as well as spare wheels which were attached with a screw.
Sold at toy stores, as well as at military post exchanges in boxes with shipping labels, many of these vehicles saw “active duty” amongst the young kids. The Dale Model Co. apparently closed its doors sometime in the 1950s.
With respect to the Value question, it always comes back to condition and rarity. The actual Framburg Models precede the Dale Jeeps and are likely more rare to find. I have seen these priced from $20 to $75 during the last year but as noted: one in mint condition is a treasure find.
Paul: What’s been more interesting has been learning what Ann knows about avoiding bugs and listening devices (there’s a concern that one party is watching/tracking the other). For example, she showed me how to use a phone camera to detect infra-red-based devices.
David,
My Dad used to tell us kids that every time you do something nice for someone you get a gold star after your name in heaven. I am guessing you got a couple helping this lady out.
It is a great story.
Tim (Indy)
Thanks Tim. I’m just trying to make this crazy world a little bit better for some folks.
Hey! I know I’m late to the game but how much are these worth? My aunt just moved and I found one that is in almost perfect condition. I’d love to know it’s value!
Hi Kensley,
The best I can tell you is that one like mine are roughly $15-$25 (there was on ebay with a matching tank for $35 at some point: https://picclick.com/VTG-1940s-Dale-Model-Company-Chicago-Cast-Iron-262934251619.html). As Jerry notes, he’s seen these as high as $75, but hard to say whether the seller got that much or if they had to drop the price to sell it.
I hope that helps,
– Dave