1950s Mobo Pony Buggy & Pioneer Wagon

Mobo’s first toy, the Bronco (above), introduced in 1948, was a resounding success. It works by the rider sitting on the horse and pushing down on the stirrups, then releasing them for the horse to move along. In February, 1950, ‘Magic Steering’ was introduced, which enabled the rider to move the horse in either direction by pushing on the corresponding stirrup. It was so popular that it stayed in production until 1971. The body pressings were also used for a series of other toys – SPRING HORSE (PRAIRIE KING), NIGHT RIDER, PRAIRIE PRANCER, RANGE RIDER (two different types produced), ROCKING HORSE, & BRONCO MERRY GO ROUND.

Building on the success of their first toy, the Bronco, a prancing horse body was also developed by Mobo, and used in another popular toy, the Pony Buggy. Its front footpegs turned an articulated rear axle and it sold for £5 3/- 1d. It had two wheels at the back and a caster wheel between the horse’s rear hooves. It could be used by two small children – one in the buggy behind and the other on the horse to move the footpegs under the horse. The Pony Buggy was very popular and made for many years.

A more elaborate version was also made, called the Pioneer Wagon. This had two horses side by side and a four-wheeled covered wagon behind. Whereas the footpegs on the Pony Buggy were at the front, on this model they were between the front of the wagon and the rear of the horses. Retailing at £8 11/- 2d, it was much more expensive than most of the Mobo range, and survivors are rare today.

Both of the examples featured here are in first class original unrestored condition.