Smith & Egge
 

Begun exclusively as a German toy sewing machine distributor on October 3, 1923, Bayerische Nähmaschinen Fabrik (BNF), located in Furth and Nürnberg was from the outset in serious competition with other well-established TSM makers such as Casige, Muller, Bing and Ernst Plank. Since BNF's operations were housed in only a single room, it's believed that it did not manufacture their own toys, but rather simply acted as a distributor. It's not known if more than one manufacturer supplied BNF ... nor is it known who really produced their toys. Within a few short years BNF was able to market 14 different models that are among some of the most collectible of all TSM's.

BNF's offering included traditional looking sheet metal toys as well as 4 sizes of cast iron beauties identified as Models 17, 18, 19, and 20. In addition this creative toy company sold 3 versions of a design that some collectors have dubbed the "skeleton" machine ... Model 14 is one of those skinless skeletons. BNF also produced a very rare child's treadle designated as Model 11.

Unfortunately because of Germany's deep depression and the continued success of BNF's competitors, the company was forced to close its doors in 1927. An interesting side note is that the last plant manager of BNF was none other than Heinrich Keller who went on to establish another famous toy making company of his own.(see Keller).
 

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