Description
The Dinky Toys Medium Gun #692 is a classic and highly collectible military model produced by Meccano Ltd. under their Dinky Toys brand. This piece was part of Dinky’s military vehicle line, which included a variety of artillery, tanks, and other vehicles. The Medium Gun #692 is especially admired by collectors due to its detailed design and the role it plays in the broader collection of vintage military toys.
Key Features of the Dinky Toys Medium Gun #692:
- Model Description:
- The Medium Gun #692 is a artillery piece, which means it is modeled after a large gun or field artillery used during the mid-20th century, particularly around World War II.
- The model includes a long barrel, spoked wheels, and a detailed carriage. The overall design is intended to capture the look and feel of a field gun, with excellent attention to the finer details.
- Wheel Mechanism: The spoked wheels of the gun are designed to rotate, which adds a play feature and increases the realism of the piece. The gun can also often be adjusted or aimed by moving the barrel up and down.
- Color & Finish:
- The Medium Gun #692 was generally painted in a military green or olive drab, which reflects the typical color schemes used by military forces during the mid-20th century.
- Some versions of the model may also have details in silver or black on certain parts, such as the barrel or wheels, to enhance its realism.
- Size:
- The Medium Gun is approximately 5-6 inches in length, making it a moderately sized model within the Dinky Toys range.
- As with many Dinky models, it was designed to be large enough for display but still small enough to be used in play settings, making it highly desirable for both collectors and young enthusiasts.
- Design Details:
- The spoked wheels are one of the most distinctive features of the #692 Medium Gun, giving it a classic artillery look.
- The barrel of the gun is moveable, allowing it to be positioned for either long-range shots or aimed for more precision—this functional aspect enhances the realism of the piece.
- Some versions of the gun may feature additional markings, such as British Army insignia or unit numbers, depending on the time period or batch of production.
- Packaging:
- The Medium Gun #692 was sold in the typical Dinky Toys blue and yellow box, which displayed the model and provided a graphic of the gun in action.
- As with most Dinky Toys, original packaging is highly valuable for collectors. Models that still have their boxes in good condition tend to fetch higher prices.
- Variants:
- There may be slight variations in the design of the #692 Medium Gun, especially in terms of the color and the details of the wheels or decals.
- Some models have been produced with different markings, reflecting different military units or time periods, which can make certain versions of the model more rare or valuable.
Collectibility and Value:
- The Dinky Toys Medium Gun #692 is considered a highly collectible piece in the Dinky Toys range, especially by fans of military-themed models.
- Condition plays a significant role in determining the value. Models in mint condition with no rust, scratches, or broken parts can command high prices, sometimes reaching $150 – $300 USD or more.
- Original packaging can significantly increase the collectible value. The presence of the box in good condition can add anywhere from $50 to $100 USD to the value of the piece, depending on its rarity.
Historical Context:
- The Medium Gun model is inspired by field artillery pieces used by military forces during the World War II era, though Dinky did not always base their models on a specific weapon. The military-style guns were popular toys during the mid-20th century and were often given as gifts to boys who had an interest in tanks, guns, and vehicles.
