The Rocking Horse Workshop

13/04/2026

An unusual horse has recently come to light (discussed on another forum) which was most likely made by a company called the Invicta Toy & Doll Works Ltd. (Late Kent Toy Works). I have attached the relevant chapter from my book regarding this maker along with the chapter about H.S.Hooper Ltd which one will note produced a very similar product. I would remind readers that all images are strict copyright of David Kiss

22/10/2025

Rocking Horse Talk - J.G. Churchward (Victorian) maker identified

Just to say that I have recently uploaded a short ‘Rocking Horse Talk’ video on YouTube about a newly identified (Victorian) rocking horse maker, J G Churchward, London.

I hope this may be of interest….. Please click on the link to see the video……….

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s6Hi3XOC7A8

David Kiss

Welcome to another episode of Rocking Horse Talk with David Kiss.In this video, David dives into the fascinating history of a previously unidentified Victori...

22/09/2025

Pedigree Soft Toys Ltd.

Recently there was an unusual Lines rocking horse that came up for discussion on a Facebook forum, the horse was hide covered but beneath was a fabric covering. After a bit of research I have got to the bottom of its origins….

In the late 1930’s a struggling company of ‘expert animal artists’ approached Lines Bros for financial support, the outcome being that Lines bought the company and subsequently ‘Pedigree Soft Toys Ltd’ was formed in 1936 as a subsidiary of Lines Bros Ltd.

Pedigree Soft Toys Ltd. produced a wide range of soft toy animals and also a great variety of wheeled toys and later dolls were added to the range.

The item that concerns us of course is the production of ‘PST’ rocking horses, these were based on the Lines ‘Tri-ang Sportiboy’ range and were offered in 4 sizes from 30” up to 50” in height. The horses were described as being covered in ‘beautiful plush’, stands were painted in either red or green and the metal components were chrome plated. It is assumed the horses were made within the Lines rocking horse department and the plush being fitted in the nearby PST ‘Southern Factory’.

Date wise, from 1937 but I’m not sure if they were produced after the war so perhaps only available for a couple of years. Some examples of ‘Hide-covered’ horses have also come to light over the years but no catalogue listings have been discovered so it’s not known if these were produced under the ‘PST’ or ‘Tri-ang’ brand….. still more research to be done…

D Kiss 22nd Sept 2025.

16/06/2025

G&J Lines horse on unusual stand.

Some years ago we acquired this G&J Lines horse that was mounted on an unusual swing-stand. Not sure if it was a factory item or a later replacement….. The metal-work certainly doesn’t look to be homemade but the wooden crosspieces are somewhat wanting! We subsequently sold the horse on…..

Note the (nail) hole on the underside of the runner, this is where a transit lath was fitted to stop the horse rocking when being transported.

29/05/2025

For Sale…

I’ve been having a bit of a clear-out and have decided to let go of this chap…. I bought it as I didn’t recognise the maker and I’m still unsure who it might be…. Anyway, I’m sure that its been professionally made, British and early 20.c. c.1920

When I acquired the rocking horse it was overpainted dapple grey and fitted with vinyl tack….(see pics) I was surprised to find that it was originally painted as a ‘chestnut’. The horse has just one pommel hole, I’ve only seen this on a ‘J R Smith’ horse. I’m not sure that the stand is original but is of good quality and construction with turned posts and has shaped top plates.

The horse (on stand) is 43 inches tall and the stand is 54 inches long.

It will require further work to reveal its true elegance.

Price is £### as is. The horse is located in the south east of Kent in the UK, I may be able to help with local delivery. Any questions just ask….

NOW SOLD....

05/12/2024

'Crown Products' Ossett, Yorks.

I thought this may be of interest, a maker not covered in my book…..

On the 23rd May 1949 a small article was published in The Daily Mirror….titled
‘Steve has a way with a Rocking Horse

The article was about a chap called Steve Winder (35) who had set up his own workshop in Healey Road, Ossett to make rocking horses. It was reported that he had been making rocking horses since he was 15 (except for 6 years in the army) and was hoping to make 120 a year!

A number of examples have turned up over the years and have a striking ,although cruder similarity to the later Ayres Sports Goods (Sykes) horses. Ossett is only a very short distance (2 miles) from Horbury (Sykes works) so one may assume that Steve had worked for Sykes, hence this similarity.

A few of the horses have a logo on the front of the base ‘Crown Products. Ossett. Yorks.’
I have attached a couple of examples of the horses for identity purposes….. note the 'squared' off posts!

19/11/2024

Disappearing Heritage…..

Scott & Walker Ltd. may not be a name that we are particularly familiar with but after WW1 they set up in business producing a range of horse based items, Horses & Carts, Double Horse Chariot?, Rocking Horses etc, they appeared to have ceased trading by 1935 as they were struck of the companies register. As far as I’m aware none of their products have been identified.

The firm had premises at 65-68 Princip St and shown below is the ‘Defiance Works’ where they were based….. in 2008 during my research I took the opportunity to see if the building was there and was pleased to report that it had survived, however the property was in a poor condition. A recent look on Google maps (dated June 2024) shows that the building had suffered from a catastrophic fire that had affected the whole building and I would assume that with the whole area being redeveloped it has now been demolished, always sad when another piece of our heritage disappears.

15/11/2024

I have recently acquired a couple of 'engravers proofs' that I thought would be of interest, they were done for Savages, both c.1860.

04/04/2024

February 5th 1918.......

04/04/2024

F.H.Ayres 'Moveable Head' horse...

DEPOSIT NOW TAKEN....

We are very pleased to offer for sale a ‘Prince’ amongst rocking horses, this being an F.H Ayres ‘Moveable-Head’ horse that dates from c.1890. A wonderful example of this sought-after item with provenance back to 1933, earlier provenance may be available with some further research to confirm Royal connection!

As with all F H Ayres horses of this period it is very finely carved and looks quite magnificent, the horse has a no. ‘2’ stamped to its forehead, (believed to be an identifier as to the carver), the horse also has an ‘F H AYRES’ stencil to its belly. Dimensions are…. 48” tall and the stand is 60” long. This actual horse also features in the book, ‘A Kiss of Rocking Horses’.

The horse has recently had a full ‘service’ (including the head mechanism) and is in overall very good order. It has of course had restoration over the years but still retains the majority of its original paint-work.

Price…. On application.

The horse is at present located in SE England.

If you would like further more detailed information/pictures about the horse it is important that you contact us at [email protected] where we will endeavour to answer any questions you may have. We do not like using FB messenger and will NOT reply to any detailed questions about price or condition etc..etc…

07/03/2024

“Fancy Nails & Studs”……

Been having a sort out, found a box of old nails…some of the ‘Fancies’ after trading 40 odd years……. Do you recognise them all… answers on a postcard….