The Wagner 1910 Waffle Iron toy is one of the pieces that has been counterfeited to excess. These pieces have been showing up on e-bay for a number of years and at flea markets as well as antique shows, and antique shops. They show no sign of slowing down, as people continue to buy them. I have seen these pieces selling anywhere from $10.00 up to as high as $150.00.
The most recognizable way to tell the counterfeit from the original is the length of the handles and the way that the bail ends after going through the ears of the base. On the original the handles are longer and have a brass collar on the paddle side and groves on the handle. The bail goes through the ears and then wraps back up to itself.
Original
Reproduction
I/D markings
"WAGNER" (the number 22 is in a script style)
"WAGNER" (the number 22 is in a block style)
Quality of Casting
10
3 to an 8
Quality of Lettering
10
3 to a 10
Length
Paddles 7.460 Handles 2.438 Base
4.803
Paddles 6.402
Handles 1.572 Base 4.628
Width
Paddles 3.281 Base at bail 4.451 Base at ball socket 4.808
Paddles 3.179 Base at bail 4.256 Base at ball socket 4.629