Tootsietoy Dakota vs Lookalike?

[SwallowThis]

Hi all, recently I've been very lucky and was able to acquire a vintage Tootsietoy American West Shotgun for keepsakes. To my surprise however, despite it looking just like the iconic Dakota shotgun used in game, it goes by a different name while retaining the brand name: Tootsietoy and even theme: American West. 

 

Searching online I wasn't able to find many references to this one particular item I have given that it has no real nickname unlike the Dakota. It could be a knockoff I suppose but it's a pretty convincing one at that. It's a sweet piece no doubt, but all I really wanna know is "why are they both marked different if they're the same?"

 

I will see if I can post photos later but in the meantime here's one of the only references I've seen floating around. It comes from an old eBay listing.