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ACE Toy Mold Co.

Porter Chemical Company, Hagerstown, Maryland

Produced Molds thru the Kast-A-Toy label. A 1937 Advertisement showed moulds numbered up to  33 moulds though not sure if all were actually available. The most unique was a sheriffs badge that you placed a No. 2 Safety pin into.

The ACE Kast-A-Toy line represents an interesting chapter in the history of the Porter Chemical Company, serving as a bridge between educational science kits and the widespread hobby of home metal casting in the 1930s. Founded in 1914 by brothers Harold Mitchell Porter and John J. Porter in Hagerstown, Maryland, the company initially focused on their iconic "Chemcraft" chemistry sets. By the late 1920s, they had achieved massive success, becoming the leading manufacturer of chemistry sets in the United States.

To compete with rivals like A.C. Gilbert (who launched the "Kaster Kit" in 1931) and Rapaport Brothers, Porter Chemical introduced the ACE Kast-A-Toy brand around 1930. The "ACE" branding was used for their metal-working toys, which included the "Ace Furnace" and "Ace Electric Ladle," positioning the product as a more professional, "engineering" style toy.

The earliest retail listings and copyright dates for ACE Kast-A-Toy appear at the very beginning of the 1930s. Their Peak Production was 1934–1939. This saw the introduction of most of their mold variety, including specialized sets like the "Police Badge" and "Historical Soldier" series. Production came to an abrupt halt in early 1942. The U.S. General Limitation Order L-81 restricted the use of iron, lead, and other strategic metals for toy manufacturing to prioritize resources for World War II. Porter Chemical never resumed the Kast-A-Toy line after the war, focusing instead on Atomic Energy and Microscope kits in the 1950s.

Mold Catalog and Count
Unlike their competitor Gilbert, who produced over 40 molds, the ACE Kast-A-Toy catalog was more focused. I have found a list of 13 molds that were sold both in sets and as individual "refills."

So Far I have been able to confirm the first 5 Kast-A-Toy sets. If you have proof of 710, and 712 let me know in the comments below:

 *= Not proven to exist yet

 Moulds are numbered 1 to 33, however only 13 actual moulds are listed in their catalogs. As the rest of the moulds are identified I will add them to the list. I have also noticed that not all moulds have their number on the back of the mould. Not sure when this started but am researching it!

• 1. Dutch Girl
• 2. Dutch Boy
• 3. Bronco Buster
• 4. Indian Hunter
• 10. Sailor
• 11. Machine Gunner
• 12. Infantry Soldier
• 13. Cavalry Officer
• 20. 2 Ducks
• 30. Detective Badge
• 31. Sheriff Badge
• 32. Inspector Badge
• 33. fireman Badge

Slush Moulds?
There is some thought that some of the moulds produced by ACE were actually slush moulds. While this is possible I have not been able to locate any instructions from ACE that describe the technique. However this is the breakdown of slush vs solid moulds that I have seen:

1 – 4 Slush mold Character Figures (Dutch Boy/Girl, Cowboy, Indian)
10 – 13 Slush mold Military/Service Figures (Soldier, Sailor, Machine Gunner)
20 Solid (Flat) Animals (The "Two Ducks" mold)
30 – 33 Solid (Flat) The Badge Series (Sheriff, Detective, Fireman, etc.)

Finally...
NOTE: A Common Point of Confusion: "Set Numbers"

It is important to distinguish between the Mold Number (stamped on the metal) and the Set Number (printed on the box).

• Set No. 1: Usually a basic "Badge Casting Set" (containing solid molds 30-33).
• Set No. 10: Often a "Master Heat Concentrator Set" which included a furnace and a slush mold (like the No. 10 Sailor).