Restoration of a 1920s horse racing game GeeWIZ

Restoration of a very old and rusted horse racing game from the GeeWIZ brand.

The "Gee Wiz" horse racing game is a vintage tinplate toy from England, originally manufactured in the late 1920s to 1930s. It was a mechanical racing game designed for fun and betting, popular among children and families. The game consists of six colorful tin horses with jockeys positioned on an angled racetrack. A flywheel mechanism powered by pulling a string propels steel balls up the track. These balls repeatedly hit the horses, pushing them forward until one reaches the finish line and raises the victory flag.

Key Details:
➖Manufacturer: Made in England, specific maker likely linked to British tin toy companies of the era.
➖Patents: UK Patent No. 275,682 (filed in 1926) describes the unique propulsion mechanism involving a rotating axle with nubs that propel steel balls.
➖Dimensions: Approximately 38.5 cm in length, 16 cm in width, and 7 cm in height. The box dimensions are slightly larger.
➖Material: Primarily tinplate, with vibrant painted finishes.
➖Condition Notes: Over time, many surviving pieces show wear and tear, though some original boxes and components remain intact.
➖Purpose: Played for entertainment and simulated horse betting.
This toy captures the innovation of early 20th-century mechanical games and remains a collector's item today, valued for its nostalgic appeal and engineering design


00:00 Showing the horse race
00:38 Disassembling
02:18 Horse race: Sandblasting
04:00 Horse race tracks: Straightening and painting
05:19 Horse race body: Powder coating
05:53 Horse race: Powder coating the round parts
07:26 Horse race: Assembling with the tracks
07:51 Finish flag: Sandblasting and powder coating
09:14 Flywheel: Sandblasting and polishing
10:46 Screws: Polishing, grinding, and using the tumbler
11:53 Horses: Sandblasting, powder coating, and assembling
12:56 Applying stickers
13:15 Cleaning the cord
14:09 Horse race: Trying out and playing GEEWIZ
15:11 Before-and-after comparison