Gendron Sampson Toys

The Gendron Wheel Company started business in the 1870’s and at the time were the only manufacturer of wire wheels in America. By the 1920’s they expanded their product lines to include bicycles, baby carriages, wagons and more. In 1928 Gendron added a new line of toy pull type trucks to their lineup with the “Sampson” branding. It is believed that Gendron acquired the dies for this new line from the American National Co & The Toledo Metal Wheel Co who appeared to be producing the same trucks under their individual company names. It is not confirmed what the other two company’s associations were, but they were clearly affiliated in some way. The Gendron Sampson trucks utilized essentially the same truck beds & chassis but introduced a completely new modern cab design utilizing a longer hood, front radiator & windshield/roof supports. Gendron produced the Sampson line of toy trucks up to around 1930-31. They continued to produce pedal toys and other products into the early 1940s.