Excellent Old Die-Cast Alligator in Original Paint, Made in the USA steel skeeball game board I'll never not open one

I'll never not open one of these beautiful old marbled notebooks without looking to see what's inside

The seller I purchased this from thought it may have been made as a practice or test piece by a metalworker long ago

and on the other perhaps the red round piece is not original (though the red paint exactly matched the red of the other block

both un-dyed one like these

who grew up in New York City

Excellent Old Die-Cast Alligator in Original Paint, Made in the USA steel skeeball game board I'll never not open oneA nice old one, made in the USA, with original paint, sort of an olive green with creamy white underbelly and red inside his open mouth. Good weight, cast in two parts. I can't find an exact match out there for him but would guess maybe 1920 30s? I love him. 5 1 2" l x 7 8" w. Good condition, general wear and scattered paint loss, all adding up to what I'd call a perfect patina.