How To Buy Vintage Western Toys Online

When you look around the Internet for Vintage Western Toys that you owned as a child, that will take you back to yesteryear like the Lone Ranger intro, you have to be careful. There are people out there who misuse the vintage or antique label and sell reproductions as originals. Others mix old and new and try to foist them on the uninitiated as vintage. Let's take a look at what you should look out for.

First of all, what does it mean if a toy is a Vintage Toy? In general terms a vintage item on eBay or elsewhere should be at least 20 years old. However, for our category of Vintage Western Toys, we really need to go back a little further than 1988! What we're looking for in vintage is at least 30 years old. In fact, most of these toys should be from the 1950's through 1960's.

Not everyone who mislabels a toy as vintage is trying to rip you off. Sometimes they bought a reproduction set at a garage sale or storage garage auction that looked old and they, due to lack of knowledge, thought it was an original. Classic toy companies like Marx, Stuart, Lido and MPC sold their old molds and equipment to companies in other countries. Often the reproductions look almost as good as the real thing but sometimes there are tell-tale signs that it is a reproduction.

Sometimes you can find deals in buying large lots that someone appears to be simply getting rid of. However, this is a common tactic by some dealers to dump their unwanted and unsalable goods on the market. Often they'll even use a separate eBay ID for this activity so use a lot of caution when clear pictures aren't available in the listing. If you aren't sure contact the seller and ask for better pictures. Some, the honest ones, will be happy to provide you with additional photos to help you make your decision. A reliable seller will always answer your questions about any products they're selling.

Be careful not to get caught up in a bidding war. Do your research on the Vintage Western Toy you're wanting to buy, make your maximum bid, once, and live with the results. You'll be happier and your bank account will be happier even if you don't win every auction for Vintage Western Toys.

Vintage Cowboy Toys

Every generation of children has had its toys. In the post WWII 1940's and into the 1950's cowboy toys were the king, particularly for young boys. This trend has been noted in several movies such as A Christmas Story and Toy Story.

These simple toys provided a great getaway for kids of that era with their movie and later TV heroes like Roy Rogers, Gene Autry, Marshal Dillon, Hopalong Cassidy and the Lone Ranger. Toy makers loved the tie-in with the new media since it greatly spurred sales of these toys.

One of the great things about these classic toys is that many of them have held up well over the decades. In fact, some people almost think of them as art as well as a nostalgic trip back to their childhood. You'll also find some small manufacturing concerns creating high quality replicas of these vintage toys.

Common Vintage Cowboy Toys

Cap Guns, Cork Guns and Click Guns - These are particularly sought after when paired with a matching holster.

Cowboy Costumes - Of course, the full costume or even just a cowboy hat or coonskin cap was a common fashion ensemble for boys in the 1950's.

Play Sets - Intact Cowboy and Indians playsets from the 1950's are a rare find, particularly if they're from Marx.

Cowboy TV Show Themed Toys - Roy Rogers and Lone Ranger themed items are quite popular. These toys might include things like a phones, guitars, binoculars or the ever popular decoder ring.

Cowboy Coloring Books - While some have deteriorated due to age, there are still some around that have held up well.

Cowboy Board Games and Cowboy Card Games - Most TV shows had promotional board games or card games. Some of these can be a rare find if they're fully intact.

What are some of your favorite Vintage Cowboy Toys?