banks

There are many interesting bank cannon, the older ones being made of the cast iron mechanical variety.  Most of  these mechanical banks are rare, and are in great demand by collectors.  There is also a flood of reproductions on the market.  The "repro's" as they are called, do not have the same detail, and in most cases are slightly smaller.

These are original J.& E. Stevens banks. A coin "loaded" into the Artillery cannon (mortar), would shoot into the vault for safe keeping. The US Spain bank also fired caps. Another bank manufacturer was the Shepard Hardware Company of Buffalo, New York. At least 5 variations of the Artillery bank were made by these two companies.

This is one of two variations of a cast iron bank called "Hold The Fort" which was patented in 1877. The manufacturer is unknown.  The one not shown has 7 port holes.