Still a mystery engine to me . I do agree that it doesn’t look like it was made to be a science demonstration or school education engine. The bogus copper boiler would be superfluous for ‘education’ but does make it an attractive toy. It’s good that the boiler holds it copper luster so well over time. The metal stamped parts and overall components are not cheap-cheap, but appears well engineered. Not too expensive either, so price-pointed to sell as a mid-quality toy. As far as pre-WW2 or post war, I feel it leans towards post WW2 because of the phenolic type insulation and rivets on the make/break contacts. That cam is special and if it were late 1940’s that type commercial solenoid engine would likely be beyond the Mesco-Avery 1909 patent. The remaining electrics remind me of similar components used in U.S. post-war pinball machines .
As a caveat; quality electrical components of the late 1930’s have fooled me a few times into thinking a device was of latter vintage.
It’s a shame no numbers on the electric cords or parts. No ghost image of a UL-Underwriters sticker (that sticker would be very important for a USA 110Volt AC child's toy of the 1940s-50s).
Looking in the USA 1947-55 toy catalogs of Sears, Montgomery Wards, FAO Schwartz etc and maybe it would show up, but most times limited production toys of that era didn't make it beyond trade magazines, or the back page ads of comic books & common pulp magazines.
Best of luck with the ID !
(ps ... online example of old toy catalogs , some steam toys, but solenoid engines are rare
http://www.oldwoodtoys.com/toy_catalogs.htm
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