N. & K.C. Keyser Ltd.

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The manufacturer known as K’s is often credited with the issue of the first white metal kit. In 1957, it released a kit of the GWR 0-4-2T, and earned itself a place in this history. It’s full commercial name was N.& K. C. Keyser Ltd, and the “N” was father or “Pop” Keyser, as he was mostly known. He was of German origin, and opened a tobacconist shop which became a model shop in the 1940s at Hanover Court in Uxbridge road, London. The whole family were involved, including Mrs Keyser and their son Ken. Ken was making scratch-built locos from 1946, which were displayed in the shop.

Ken saw a jeweller’s centrifugal casting machine and realised it could enable to production of small items in white metal. He began with small components, then complete wagon kits. By 1957, despite the fact that Bob Wills was already at the same point, K’s launched their first locomotive kit at the Model Railway club Show. This was a complete package, including wheels motor and gears.

Subject ID: 81137

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The manufacturer known as K’s is often credited with the issue of the first white metal kit. In 1957, it released a kit of the GWR 0-4-2T, and earned itself a place in this history. It’s full commercial name was N.& K. C. Keyser Ltd, and the “N” was father or “Pop” Keyser, as he was mostly known. He was of German origin, and opened a tobacconist shop which became a model shop in the 1940s at Hanover Court in Uxbridge road, London. The whole family were involved, including Mrs Keyser and their son Ken. Ken was making scratch-built locos from 1946, which were displayed in the shop.

Ken saw a jeweller’s centrifugal casting machine and realised it could enable to production of small items in white metal. He began with small components, then complete wagon kits. By 1957, despite the fact that Bob Wills was already at the same point, K’s launched their first locomotive kit at the Model Railway club Show. This was a complete package, including wheels motor and gears.

As the range grew, the family moved the business to a purpose built factory near Willesden Junction station, where they remained for the next 12 years. Pop Keyser died in 1966, and it was down to Ken and his two sons Melvyn and Graham to orchestrate the next stage of the company’s development, involving relocation to a factory in Banbury.

Ken’s sons had seen the rise in plastic rolling stock kits, and oversaw the investment in injection moulding machines, and plastic used for rolling stock and from 1970 resin wheel centres. In 1978 the whole of the TT range of products was sold to ABS, (Adrian Swain).

Locomotives continued to be manufactured until at least 1983, but after that K’s history becomes murky, with other players involved in the wholesaling and marketing, including Nu-Cast, which led to adverts for bodies appearing as Nu-Kays. Ken Keyser died in 1989, and a year later the HMC group bought much of the K’s ranges. The name and ranges were then subsequently acquired by Autcom, but with a statement that the marketing would still be under the Nu-Cast banner.

Subject ID: 81137

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Subject ID: 81137