Help me identify these two bronze cast models...

[lorboy]

I am brand new here and really just signed up to ask a question because you guys seem to be experts on all thing related to steam shovels.

I hope that I am not out of line or bothering anybody and this is the closest category i could find.

Well, I inherited these two bronze cast models. One is a steam shovel and one is a clamshell steam shovel (from what I have figured out). They both say "Lorain" on them, which I know is a real brand of equipment.

They also say "EHRBAR", (which I have also found out is a heavy equipment dealer) and New York, Long Island, New Jersey below that.

They are about 7" long with the booms and 4" or 5" high or so and pretty heavy and they spin around. The wires have been repaired some where along the line, but I think the booms may have operated a little originally.

They belonged to my aunt's father, who was Superintendent of the Department of Sanitation for the City of New York in the late 40's/early 50's, so I am assuming they were some kind of gift or something that he got through his job.

I went to the Ehrbar website & all they had as far as email contacts were the President, CFO, etc. Didn't seem like there was anybody I could ask about these.

They are very neat and I was wondering if anybody had seen anything like this before or could tell me anything about them?

Were they maybe some sort of "premium" at the time, that Lorain gave to dealers to give to big customers or were they something that was sold?

Any info would be appreciated - I have been fascinated by them since I was little, but I never asked any questions and now the only people who could answer are gone.

Thank you for your time!
LB

[F6Forrest]

I would think that they are "promo" models like what the car dealers gave to their best customers. Equipment operators probably got watch fobs from dealers also. My grandfather was an equipment operator during the building of the GWB.I have his pocket watch,but alas,no fob. Pictures of the models could help to ID & date them.
Glad I don't live in Jersey anymore...Forrest

[lorboy]

Forrest,

Thanks so much.

Since they have the dealer's name on them, I kinda figured they must be something along those lines.

i don't have any pics, but will dig camera out later & see if I can manage some clear shots of them.

Is it Ok to post pics here or should I post a link to pics off-site?

thank you
LB

Craig here: Feel free to post them here.....