Vintage Yale & Towne Trojan Wheel Loader Brass Watch Fob w/Leather Strap USA
DF668a
Vintage Yale & Towne Trojan Division brass watch fob featuring a highly detailed raised-relief Trojan/Yale wheel loader at work—an excellent piece of mid-century heavy-equipment and construction advertising memorabilia. The substantial square fob retains its black leather buckle strap and displays an impressive industrial scene with the loader, filled bucket, operator and mountainous quarry-style background.
The front is prominently marked “TROJAN” and “YALE.” The reverse is embossed:
TROJAN DIVISION
YALE & TOWNE MFG. CO.
BATAVIA, N.Y. - SAN LEANDRO, CAL.
This promotional fob dates to the classic Yale & Towne era of Trojan construction equipment and should appeal to collectors of vintage heavy equipment, wheel loaders, tractor shovels, industrial advertising, construction memorabilia, Yale & Towne items and pocket-watch accessories.
The original black leather strap includes a silver-tone buckle, allowing the piece to be displayed substantially as it would have been used when originally distributed.
Sold as is. No warranty from the Seller. No Returns.
Approx. Dimensions:
Medal: 1-1/2" Square
Strap: 5" L
Approx. Weight: 0.9 Ounce
SKU: DF668
CONDITION: Pre-owned vintage condition with age-related patina, oxidation/tarnish, surface scratches, scuffs and finish wear on the brass fob, including some blue-green oxidation in recessed areas. The black leather strap shows edge wear, surface marks and age, and the silver-tone buckle has light scratching. No obvious cracks or breaks are visible in the fob from the provided photos. See all detailed pictures and read the full detailed description provided by the seller to know what you are purchasing.
Key Features
Type: Vintage advertising pocket-watch fob / heavy-equipment promotional collectible
Brand/Advertiser: Yale & Towne Manufacturing Co., Trojan Division
Equipment depicted: Trojan/Yale wheel loader or tractor shovel
Material: Brass-toned/brass metal fob
Front design: Deep raised-relief loader carrying a full bucket
Background: Mountain/quarry or earthmoving scene
Front markings: “TROJAN” and “YALE”
Reverse markings: “TROJAN DIVISION – YALE & TOWNE MFG. CO. – BATAVIA, N.Y. – SAN LEANDRO, CAL.”
Strap: Black leather
Hardware: Silver-tone buckle
Approximate fob dimensions: 1-7/8" square
Collecting categories: Heavy equipment, construction, industrial advertising, watch fobs, Yale memorabilia, Trojan machinery
Style: Mid Century – Industrial Advertising
This is an especially appropriate designation because the branding and corporate history indicate a likely late-1950s/early-1960s origin rather than a Victorian or earlier watch-fob period.
Manufacturer Background
Company represented: Yale & Towne Manufacturing Company, Trojan Division.
Yale & Towne had a long history in locks and materials-handling equipment and was producing Trojan construction machinery from its Batavia, New York operations by the 1950s. Contemporary 1959 trade literature specifically identifies The Yale & Towne Manufacturing Co., Trojan Division, Batavia, N.Y. Eaton acquired Yale & Towne in 1963, and the corporate identity subsequently transitioned to Eaton Yale & Towne.
Country of Manufacture
United States – best-supported attribution.
Release Date / Age
Best estimate: circa 1957-1963, possibly extending into the early 1960s.
The front is prominently marked “TROJAN” and “YALE.” The reverse is embossed:
TROJAN DIVISION
YALE & TOWNE MFG. CO.
BATAVIA, N.Y. - SAN LEANDRO, CAL.
This promotional fob dates to the classic Yale & Towne era of Trojan construction equipment and should appeal to collectors of vintage heavy equipment, wheel loaders, tractor shovels, industrial advertising, construction memorabilia, Yale & Towne items and pocket-watch accessories.
The original black leather strap includes a silver-tone buckle, allowing the piece to be displayed substantially as it would have been used when originally distributed.
Sold as is. No warranty from the Seller. No Returns.
Approx. Dimensions:
Medal: 1-1/2" Square
Strap: 5" L
Approx. Weight: 0.9 Ounce
SKU: DF668
CONDITION: Pre-owned vintage condition with age-related patina, oxidation/tarnish, surface scratches, scuffs and finish wear on the brass fob, including some blue-green oxidation in recessed areas. The black leather strap shows edge wear, surface marks and age, and the silver-tone buckle has light scratching. No obvious cracks or breaks are visible in the fob from the provided photos. See all detailed pictures and read the full detailed description provided by the seller to know what you are purchasing.
Key Features
Type: Vintage advertising pocket-watch fob / heavy-equipment promotional collectible
Brand/Advertiser: Yale & Towne Manufacturing Co., Trojan Division
Equipment depicted: Trojan/Yale wheel loader or tractor shovel
Material: Brass-toned/brass metal fob
Front design: Deep raised-relief loader carrying a full bucket
Background: Mountain/quarry or earthmoving scene
Front markings: “TROJAN” and “YALE”
Reverse markings: “TROJAN DIVISION – YALE & TOWNE MFG. CO. – BATAVIA, N.Y. – SAN LEANDRO, CAL.”
Strap: Black leather
Hardware: Silver-tone buckle
Approximate fob dimensions: 1-7/8" square
Collecting categories: Heavy equipment, construction, industrial advertising, watch fobs, Yale memorabilia, Trojan machinery
Style: Mid Century – Industrial Advertising
This is an especially appropriate designation because the branding and corporate history indicate a likely late-1950s/early-1960s origin rather than a Victorian or earlier watch-fob period.
Manufacturer Background
Company represented: Yale & Towne Manufacturing Company, Trojan Division.
Yale & Towne had a long history in locks and materials-handling equipment and was producing Trojan construction machinery from its Batavia, New York operations by the 1950s. Contemporary 1959 trade literature specifically identifies The Yale & Towne Manufacturing Co., Trojan Division, Batavia, N.Y. Eaton acquired Yale & Towne in 1963, and the corporate identity subsequently transitioned to Eaton Yale & Towne.
Country of Manufacture
United States – best-supported attribution.
Release Date / Age
Best estimate: circa 1957-1963, possibly extending into the early 1960s.