Collectible antique lead toy farm item made by Britains, Ltd., England. This is a toy trough for use with a farm animal play set or diorama or local scene for an old train set. The miniature trough is like those one would see on a farm for use in providing water or feed for pigs, cows, horses or other domesticated animals. We have indicated this is "as is" in the title because the 2 trough legs on one end are broken off such that one end of the trough sits directly on the ground, slanting the trough upwards to the other end which is supported still on 2 crossed legs. We have one of the broken off leg pieces as shown in some images, but the other is long gone.

The trough measures 3 1/8 inches in length, about 3/4 inch in width to the trough portion and 1 inch in greatest width to the outer ends of the two legs on one side, and at the higher end sits about 3/4 inch in height. The manufacturer marking appears in raised molded letters along the underside edge of the trough, stating "Made in England by Britains Ltd." This is hard to read with some letters worn, and even harder to photograph, but we guarantee this is there and what it says. We have provided 7 images to show multiple views including one in which we show part of the manufacturer marking (we had to go very close-up to try to show the letters and it would not have been readable had we tried to show the full words all in one shot). Please note that the white "hot spots" are reflections from the camera lighting on the metal body. The trough coloring is light tan or beige with some green paint in many spots that we think may have been done to show suggested wear or mold on the wood as would occur in real life.

From the style and type of piece as well as the manufacturer marking, we believe this piece dates to the early 1900's but are not toy dealers and do not know that for certain. It is definitely an old, antique or vintage piece which came out of an older home. The toy appears to be made of a base gray diecast or molded metal which could be lead from similar pieces we've handled and seen, and the paint on the piece could also have lead in it. As such, we will only sell this piece to adult collectors, it should be handled with care, and it should not be given to children to play with due to concerns with lead exposure.

Beyond the broken legs on one end, this antique toy shows much age and use wear. There is much paint chipping/wear particularly along all edges, showing the gray metal underneath. There is also an unevenness or roughness to the edges along with some tiny edge chips. Some of this may relate back to old rougher manufacturing techniques but some of this is also use wear. On the outside or underside of the trough you can see the raised lines molded into the piece likely to suggest wood planks.

Someone who is handy at repairing old toys could perhaps solder the one missing leg we have back onto the piece and create another one so that it fully stands as it once did. But even without doing any repairs, this farm trough might be usuable either propped up or as is within a toy farm display, train set display or in a Christmas holiday scene display.