Busselton Historical Society > Records

Toy Horse - "Mobo Bronco"

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Sebel Products Ltd

1947 - 1950

Subcollections

Children's Toys

Overview

the entire horse is made of metal, and has been painted

Historical information

The Bronco, introduced by the company in 1948, is the best known Mobo toy. It works by the rider sitting on the horse and pushing down on the stirrups, then releasing them for the horse to move along.

From 1947 to 1950, the Bronco could only be steered in a straight line but in February1950, ‘Magic Steering’ was introduced. This enabled the rider by pushing on either stirrup to move the horse in that direction. The words "IT STEERS" were added to the large red and yellow transfer on the front of the horse and the Bronco was so popular that it stayed in production until 1971.

The Mobo Bronco was the product of a manufacturing company called D Sebel & Co Ltd, in Kent, England. Its founder, David Sebel, was a Russian immigrant who began the company in 1921.

( Reference: https://onlinebicyclemuseum.co.uk/1950s-mobo-bronco-with-magic-steering/ )

Details

Registration number

cwa-org-124-2026.143

Item type

Toys

Themes

Leisure > Toys

Social History

Material

Metal

Inscriptions and markings

Embossed marking on the foot pedal: "Mobo"

Contextual information

Photograph 1: Vern Elliott was responsible for the renovation of the ride-on toy horse.
Photograph 2: Colin and May Criddle - original owners standing next to the fully restored ride-on toy.
Advert: Advertisement of the original Mobo Bronco

Keywords

antique toys

Display Of Childrens Toys

Place made

London, England, United Kingdom

Year

1947 - 1950

Primary significance criteria

Artistic or aesthetic significance

Historic significance

Social or spiritual significance

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