Category:Bowman Models

Toy Brands and Manufacturers

Bowman Models

1926 - ~1950

Bowman Book of Steam Models (~1931?) [image info]

1932: "USE STEAM!", Bowman Models range, Hobbies magazine [image info]

Bowman models catalogue cover, undated [image info]

1932: Bowman model 300 locomotive and stationary steam engine, Black Cat cigarette coupon promotion [image info]

~1931: "Part of the Mill and Engineering Shop. Underground shafting is used throughout" [image info]

~1931: "Assembly Department. Every model is assembled, tested and inspected before packing" [image info]

~1931: "Part of Soldering and Boiler Testing Shop. All soldered joints are tested before and after assembling" [image info]

~1931: "Corner of Painting and Lacquering Shop. Throughout these processes special heat resisting paints are used." [image info]

Bowman Models of Dereham, Norfolk, England (Directors: Geoffrey Bowman Jenkins, Bernard A. Smart), was founded in 1926, and made a range of steam-powered models between the Wars, some of which are on display in the museum's "Toyshop Steam" cabinet, with accompanying literature. Jenkins supplied models and engines to Hobbies from around 1923 to ~1935, and then "went independent". Gamages advertised having bought up liquidated stock of Bowman engines in 1950-51, so presumably the company finished some time around then.

1931: The Bowman Book of Steam Models

Development

Jenkins had started selling toys in London ... when Hobbies' had to stop using their original German suppliers of steam engines, a search brought Bowman to their attention, and he was persuaded to move up to to Norfolk in around ~1923, and assemble boats and manufacture steam engines that Hobbies could then advertise and sell through Hobbies Weekly.

Initially the results of the joint venture tended to be sold as Hobbies products, then marketed under the name Hobbies-Bowman, and finally as just Bowman Models products, with the new name established in 1926.

Bowman seems to have parted company with Hobbies in or by 1935 in order to pursue other manufacturing interests (including a spring-powered gramophone, at which point Hobbies brought in Geoffrey Malins (Malins Models, Mamod) as a replacement.

Range

The use of functional steam power meant that Bowman's core range wasn't huge, and their steam-powered pieces were engineered for simplicity and reliability, with a minimum of "fancy" ornamentation. As well as producing stationary steam engines for driving Meccano models, the company also produced steam locomotives, rolling stock, rubber-band-powered model aeroplanes, and clockwork, rubber-drive and steam-powered speedboats.

A tube of Bowman Cylinder Oil

Bowmans Models of Luton

After World War Two, P.M Nash's Piece Parts and Assemblies Ltd. company needed to find a new market now that they were no longer getting a steady steam of contracts related to war work, and acquired the Bowman Models name and trademark. The company then produced their own range of Meccano-compatible steam engines and other products similar to those in the original Bowman Models range. However, to most people "Bowman Models" means Geoffrey Bowman Jenkins' original company.

In the museum

The Model 410 and Model 234 steam locos on display in the Toyshop Steam cabinet represent the smallest and the largest steam locomotive models produced by Bowman.