Period, handmade Willys Jeep model constructed from wood

Original period, handmade Willys Jeep model constructed from wood. Wooden jeeps such as this were popular toys around the end of the Second World War. Many were handmade by servicemen, including examples produced around Christmas 1944 and given as toys to local children. This particular Jeep has clearly been well played with and shows considerable age, wear and tear, giving it plenty of character and reflecting its original use as a toy. Many different variations of these handmade wooden Jeeps are known. As they were individually made rather than mass-produced, each example is essentially unique, with differences in construction and detailing. The underside of this example bears a stamped marking, although unfortunately the stamp is now difficult to read.

Size: approximately 7 cm long × 4 cm wide.

A charming and highly decorative piece of WWII-period folk art with a wonderful, well-used appearance.