"Sparks" By Grey Iron Castin Co, Mount Joy, PA 75-6

You pose an interesting piece here! I'd like to take a stab at explaining this item. I'd also refer you to the following website, as he does a nice job of explaining it also (and is willing to help you sell it if you ever want to): http://www.antiqbuyer.com/stoves.html 1. Salesmen samples are very difficult to identify UNLESS: a) they are in the original fitted carrying case. b) they are clearly marked with an old (legit!)identification c) they have great provenance (ie record of employment of owner saying he was a salesman for them and a photo of him with the item.) 2. Because of popularity, and the relative ease of molding and pouring new parts from an old sample, stoves in particular are faked. 3. Small items similar to what Mom and Dad use were very popular toys for kids. So a lot of the 'salesman samples' are actually old kid's toys. It's very difficult to tell the difference. Yours is a bit larger than most children toys, so it's possible you might have (note the 'might') a legitimate salesman sample. 10 lbs is not an unreasonable size to carry around. There are some points that make me worry though. The hinge and recessed leg bolts don't look right to me, and I can't make out what is sticking out at the bottom right, a clean out drawer maybe? Nor does it look like it's been carted around - it looks pretty pristine and I'd expect some scratches at least. The damper looks like it might not get to the fire box in the photo- they wouldn't put useless parts on a legitimate piece. I suspect you really have a decorator piece but I could be wrong. Very difficult to tell by only one photo. So: Check the item carefully, very carefully, look for: 1. bolted parts - most parts were pinned so if you have a lot of bolts, suspect a fake. - any bolts of the era were slotted and very coarse threaded. If you see a different type head or fine threads, suspect a fake. Doors (and legs) were generally on a bent pin hinge, if you see a bolt, suspect it. Bolts were hard to make back then so weren't used until late (near the end) in the manufacturing life of these items. 2. Are all the parts original and 'right'? Remember, this was to show the prospective buyer the ease of use - so these parts should be right. The lids should have a lip to fit snugly, for example. 3. Look at the construction where the parts come together. If the seams are loose (have gaps), for example, it's probably a cheap knock off or later toy. Because the method of construction of the era was 'the only game in town' and had a lot of competition, the craftsmen back then took more time to make sure it was 'right'. Now, because it's no longer main stream, the manufacture is much more shoddy. (anything newer than about 40 or so years would tend to be less precise as the skills and equipment to do it are lost.) 4. Check to see that the construction is legit. For example the bottom damper (air supply vent). Does it actually reach the firebox, where the fire is? or is it there just as decoration? I suggest that the best way to determine if this is a true salesman sample, is to find a full sized version of it and compare the two side by side. How the legs attach, the doors and lids etc. should be the same. It is pretty though. 250chief