Turner Toys (Turner Mfg.)
31 years in operation (1915–1946)
About Turner Toys (Turner Mfg.)
Turner Manufacturing produced pressed-steel toy vehicles during the 1920s–1940s. Their realistic pressed-steel sedans, buses, and trucks are collected for their quality construction and detailed lithography.
History of Turner Toys (Turner Mfg.)
Turner of Wapakoneta, Ohio made pressed-steel vehicles in the 1920s and 1930s, and what distinguishes them from the general run of American pressed steel is line. Turner cars — sedans, open tourers, buses and delivery trucks — follow the streamlined bodywork of the period closely, with curved roofs, integrated fenders and proportions that read as genuine automotive design rather than as a box on wheels.
The construction is lighter than Buddy L or Sturditoy: thinner gauge steel, simpler assembly, and finished in bright enamels. They were mid-priced toys, sold widely, and they are among the most attractive American pressed-steel cars of the interwar period for exactly that reason.
Turner ended in 1946. Documentation is limited, and unmarked pressed-steel cars of this period are frequently attributed to Turner on styling grounds alone, which is not always reliable.
Timeline
- 1915Turner Manufacturing is established in Wapakoneta, Ohio
- 1925Pressed-steel automobiles closely following real bodywork are the company's speciality
- 1935Streamlined pressed-steel toy sedans, buses and delivery trucks lead the range
- 1946Production ends
Notable & Best-Selling Toys
- Turner pressed-steel sedan
- Turner pressed-steel bus
- Turner pressed-steel delivery truck
- Turner pressed-steel open touring car
Identifying & Dating Turner Toys (Turner Mfg.) Toys
- Look for a "TURNER" decal or stamped mark on the body or underside; most examples have lost it.
- Body pressings and radiator treatment are the practical identifiers, and the range is documented by pressed-steel collectors.
- Styling-based attributions to Turner are common in the trade and should be checked against reference illustrations.
Collector's Notes
- Original paint with a legible decal is a substantial premium and is uncommon; the enamels chip readily.
- Check wheels, tyres and steering for replacement, and the thin steel bodywork for dents and old filler.
- Restored Turner cars are plentiful. Buy honest original-paint examples where possible, since restoration removes most of the collectable value.
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Frequently Asked Questions
When was Turner Toys (Turner Mfg.) founded?
Turner Toys (Turner Mfg.) was founded in 1915, based in Wapakoneta, OH.
Is Turner Toys (Turner Mfg.) still in business?
No. Turner Toys (Turner Mfg.) ceased operations in 1946, after 31 years in business.
What is Turner Toys (Turner Mfg.) best known for?
Turner Toys (Turner Mfg.) is best known for Turner pressed-steel sedan, Turner pressed-steel bus, Turner pressed-steel delivery truck, among other toys.
Where was Turner Toys (Turner Mfg.) located?
Turner Toys (Turner Mfg.) was based in Wapakoneta, OH.
What kinds of toys did Turner Toys (Turner Mfg.) make?
Turner Toys (Turner Mfg.) is categorized under pressed steel, trucks, vehicles.
How can you identify genuine Turner Toys (Turner Mfg.) toys?
Look for a "TURNER" decal or stamped mark on the body or underside; most examples have lost it. Body pressings and radiator treatment are the practical identifiers, and the range is documented by pressed-steel collectors. Styling-based attributions to Turner are common in the trade and should be checked against reference illustrations.
Are Turner Toys (Turner Mfg.) toys valuable?
Original paint with a legible decal is a substantial premium and is uncommon; the enamels chip readily. Check wheels, tyres and steering for replacement, and the thin steel bodywork for dents and old filler. Restored Turner cars are plentiful. Buy honest original-paint examples where possible, since restoration removes most of the collectable value.