What does Metzel refer to with Am. Flyer trains?

I’ve seen listings on e-bay refering to pre-war O gauge Am. Flyr trains with the word Metzel. What or who is Metzel?

Hello PBJWilson ! American Flyer started out as the Edmunds -Metzel Co in 1907 in Chicago By William Colman & John Hafner. Later on, The Hafners started their own company and manufactured clockwork trains.

Thanks for the info. So we’re talking pre-war WW1. The Metzel Am. Flyers go for big bucks. But probably very rare finds.