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Doughboy Tank

Clockwork Toy
1930s (manufactured)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Clockwork toy in the form of a First World War tank, made from pressed tin-plated mild steel, printed with a design representing riveted steel plates, coloured yellow, blue and black. The mechanism is operated by a key on the right side below the stop/start lever. The toy moves on two wheels on either side of the base, and a third in the centre back of the base. The clockwork mechanism and the back wheel are connected by a spring and metal bars to a concealed figure representing a soldier aiming a rifle. As the rear wheel swivels in a semi-circular arc, the cover over the sniper lifts, he comes out then drops back inside, and the cover falls. At the same time a sound representing gunfire is heard. The sniper is printed to represent a US Army sergeant, in a red tunic with a brown helmet. On top of the tank is a swivelling turret with two 'guns', and mounted on either side of the tank is a sponson containing a gun (the left one is missing).


Object details

Categories
Object type
TitleDoughboy Tank (manufacturer's title)
Materials and techniques
Pressed tinplated steel, printed
Brief description
Tank with concealed sniper; 'Doughboy Tank', tin, pressed, clockwork, Marx, American, 1930s
Physical description
Clockwork toy in the form of a First World War tank, made from pressed tin-plated mild steel, printed with a design representing riveted steel plates, coloured yellow, blue and black. The mechanism is operated by a key on the right side below the stop/start lever. The toy moves on two wheels on either side of the base, and a third in the centre back of the base. The clockwork mechanism and the back wheel are connected by a spring and metal bars to a concealed figure representing a soldier aiming a rifle. As the rear wheel swivels in a semi-circular arc, the cover over the sniper lifts, he comes out then drops back inside, and the cover falls. At the same time a sound representing gunfire is heard. The sniper is printed to represent a US Army sergeant, in a red tunic with a brown helmet. On top of the tank is a swivelling turret with two 'guns', and mounted on either side of the tank is a sponson containing a gun (the left one is missing).
Dimensions
  • Length: 22.8cm
  • Width: 10.8cm
  • Height: 14cm
Measurements taken from paper records - not checked on object
Production typeMass produced
Marks and inscriptions
LOUIS MARX & CO / NEW YORK USA / PATENTS PENDING (Printed on the back)
Object history
Purchased in 1975 from Christie's, South Kensington [75/1664]
Subjects depicted
Collection
Accession number
MISC.50-1975

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Record createdJuly 1, 2009
Record URL
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