The Kenton Hardware Company produced an extensive range of cast-iron home products, toys, and cap guns. The company was started in the 1890s in Kenton, Ohio and originally produced cast-iron doorknobs and other hardware for furniture. In the late 1800s, the company began producing cast-iron toys as well. The cast-iron toys manufactured by Kenton's included toy ovens, banks, model cars and trucks, and horse-drawn carts. The hardware company was renowned for creating the very popular Gene Autry toy cap guns for children in 1938.