Offered here is a superb, all‑original example of the Hunter and Rabbit Bell Toy, manufactured around 1900 by the N.N. Hill Brass Company of East Hampton, Connecticut. Known for pioneering the mass production of small bells, N.N. Hill incorporated their high‑quality brass bells into a charming line of cast‑iron pull toys—of which this 6.5‑inch‑long Hunter and Rabbit is among the most desirable and hardest to find.
This delightful early toy depicts a hunter taking aim at a rabbit that darts in and out of its burrow as the toy is pulled. At the same time, the mounted bell rocks and rings with movement, producing the melodic chime that made N.N. Hill toys so distinctive. The sculpting is crisp, the action is lively, and the overall presentation captures the whimsy and mechanical ingenuity of turn‑of‑the‑century American toy making.
This example survives in completely original paint with no touch‑ups, cracks, or repairs, a rarity for N.N. Hill toys, which often show heavy wear or restoration. The surface is honest and beautifully preserved, making this a collector‑grade specimen of a scarce and highly appealing early bell toy.
A wonderful opportunity to acquire a top‑quality example from one of America’s most innovative toy manufacturers of the early 20th century.
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