Weber Wagons

I spoke to a gentleman a few weeks ago who asked whether a Weber wagon box would normally be found on a McCormick-Deering running gear.  It’s a great question and one that cuts to the heart of how things were done back in the day.  Oftentimes today, collectors look for the perfect original vehicle… One with strong paint and logos, no unsoundness in the wood and a world of accessories that somehow managed to stay with the wagon over the last century.  Truth is, there is almost always a compromise to those wishes.

One area where some collectors don’t often compromise is in their desire to have a box sitting on a matching brand running gear.  Many surviving wagons, though, are “mismatched” in brands – at least by some 21st century assessments.  Hence the question regarding McCormick-Deering and Weber.  Both, as it happens to be are from the same company – International Harvester Corporation.  IHC, like many businesses today, learned early on the value of marketing ‘good, better and best’ product choices and pricing.  As a result, there are a number of antique wagon brands that carry the IHC logos.  Weber, Columbus, Buckeye, Steel King, Sterling, International Harvester and, yes, McCormick-Deering.  Complicating the matter a bit more are the additional wagon names (like Petrolia, Chatham & others) branded by IHC for the Canadian markets.  

But, back to the question... "Would it have been possible for a Weber box to have been placed on a McCormick-Deering gear at the dealership?"  Personally, I am confident this did happen.  I also know from period correspondence in our Wheels That Won The West® Archives that the boxes and gears were sometimes mixed by the end users.  One example that comes to mind is an old Reward Notice we have that was sent to various law enforcement officers in Texas.  The message on the notice indicates that a 2-year-old "Peter Schuttler Wagon with Luedinghaus bed" had been stolen.  The owner offered money for return of the wagon as well as capture of the thieves.  Interestingly, the reward was greater for the thief than the wagon itself!  Moral of the story... Don't mess with Texas and don't mess with a man's wagon - mismatched or not!

Wagon & Western Vehicle Auctions

Whether selling, buying or attending as a spectator, early wagon and vehicle auctions are always interesting for a number of reasons.  Not the least of which is that they give us an opportunity to examine and potentially learn more about these vintage wheels.  There can be dozens of brands, vehicle types, construction methods and manufacturing eras represented.  As a result, each vehicle can carry a wealth of potentially valuable information just waiting to be discovered.

Often, the early vehicles at these events will have some type of change or adaptation from their original production design.  Once the levels of originality and authenticity have been established, though, it’s easier to spot distinctive features specifically related to the brand… and, while a visual dissection of each set of wheels usually takes some time, the larger number of vehicles on site makes these locations a great place to conduct side by side evaluations of not only different brands but those from the same maker as well.  Inevitably, there will be differences that help us to better understand the vehicle and more readily recognize important features.

To that point, I often receive queries asking how a particular maker labeled their vehicles.  It’s a difficult question to answer because – like today – those standards tended to change over time as well as between different models and regions of use.  Not long ago, I had someone ask if a particular logo from a Weber wagon was indicative of an older design.  In this case, it was not.  I’ll give the person credit, though, for recognizing a difference and understanding that there was relevance to these areas.  Oftentimes, that’s where the best lessons take place – when we see a distinctive difference and then work to secure an answer reinforced by primary sources.

The next time you’re at a vehicle auction, take some extra moments to look closer at the differences between similar vehicles.  It’s a practice that will ultimately – and inevitably – uncover important details that not only help to better understand and appreciate these work horses on wheels but, can also play a key role in preventing buyer’s remorse down the road.

Building A Western Vehicle Library

Locating authoritative and well-studied resources covering early wood-wheeled vehicles like stagecoaches and wagons as well as a broad contingent of business, ranch and military transports can be challenging.

From my own experience, it’s a quest that’s taken years (and is still ongoing).  The search started from a simple desire to learn but, was compounded with frustration when I couldn’t find sufficient direction.  I ultimately discovered that there’s a good reason I couldn’t obtain answers to all my questions – the subject is just too large and the pieces of the puzzle too scattered or lost! 

After almost two decades of daily research, I still encounter folks looking for that one comprehensive book that covers everything.  I’ll admit, it would be nice to have such a piece and while I try to never say ‘never’… truth is, it will never happen.  Why?  Because with tens of thousands of known makers and even more variations in design and manufacturing methods, the horse-drawn vehicle industry was just too massive to authoritatively and concisely cover in one simple volume today.   

My personal pursuit of reliable and documentable information began before the internet had established itself as a household necessity.  Early on, I was fortunate to find a used book store that sold western books in their “Americana” section.  For years, I frequented this place, occasionally stumbling across a ‘find’ and purchasing it.  I learned to comb through the footnotes, endnotes and bibliographies of each of these discoveries in an effort to uncover even more valuable answers and details. 

Within a few years, the world wide web had grown to sufficient bandwidth and postings that it began to be more useful in locating primary source materials.  (A word of caution and a reminder here that while the internet is full of information, not every posting on-line can be supported by facts.) 

To start, grow and more fully develop your own western vehicle library, it’s important to keep a number of points in mind like…

-          Dividing your focus into specific categories of interest can prove beneficial as it helps highlight the depth of the subjects.  Vehicle types, makers, geographic regions, historic ventures and/or specific time periods are just some of the potential categories to consider.

-          Scour bibliographies of books and articles for previously unknown works that may reinforce your interests.

-          Subscribe to publications produced by organizations with similar interests…i.e… The Carriage Journal magazine, Farm Collector magazine, Wagon Tracks newsletter (Santa Fe Trail Association), National Stagecoach & Freight Wagon Association,  American Chuck Wagon Association and others.

-          Ask noted writers, historians and/or groups to recommend specific books.  I provided an abbreviated list to the National Stagecoach & Freight Wagon Association a few years ago and I believe it’s still on their website.

-          While there are some great contemporary works available today, remember that many early resources for antique wagons and coaches will be out-of-print.  You may be successful finding more modern works in places like Amazon.com or Barnes & Noble but, others may require a bit of sleuthing within outlets like Ebay or smaller firms selling collector books and ephemera.    

The Wheels That Won The West® Archives started with one book purchased in the mid-1990’s.  Today, this extensive resource is made up of hundreds of rare books and even more original catalogs and early sales materials.  Combined with thousands of primary source images, the collection has become an essential aspect of our research and ability to share historically accurate details with western vehicle enthusiasts the world over.  

One Horse Wagons

The first one-horse wagon I owned was a John Deere.  With single sideboards, petite hubs, a condensed box size and high, narrow wheels, it wasn’t just a well-balanced and light weight piece of functional art but an equally strong vehicle - ready to take on a host of jobs from the farm, ranch or business it would have supported during the first part of the twentieth century. 

Built on a smaller scale, one horse wagons like this and even their smaller ‘pony wagon’ cousins share a similar look and design structure with full-size farm wagons.  That said, they’re typically a less common sight and, as such, it’s harder to locate and review survivors from the thousands of brands built during the 18 and 1900’s.  Recently, we received several images of a Mitchell brand one-horse wagon. 

With roots dating to the early 1830’s, Mitchell carries a strong western heritage.  The founder, Henry Mitchell, was born in Scotland and immigrated to America in 1834.  Almost immediately after his arrival in the U.S., Mr. Mitchell began building vehicles.  From emigrants traveling the plains and early farming on the frontier to the storied work of chuck wagons and heavy western freighters, the Mitchell name carries a legendary legacy. 

This single box (one set of sideboards) Mitchell wagon still retains remnants of the original logo and paint on the box as well as the original brake assembly and shafts.  Likely dating to the early 1900’s, the wagon’s completeness, condition and brand, itself, make it a unique surviving piece.  (More details on traits that impact values of early wagons and western vehicles can be found in Volume One of the “Borrowed Time” book series)

Likewise, the Montgomery Ward pony wagon shown immediately above and below is also a rare and seldom-seen piece.  While it doesn’t carry as much age as the Mitchell mentioned in this post, there are other features of significant importance, not the least of which is its overall quality and condition as well as the vehicle type and originality levels.  Our thanks to Bill Nigg for sharing this exceptional example from his collection.  According to his measurements, the wheels of the wagon stand at 34 inches (front) and 36 inches (rear).  The box specs out at 7 feet in length by 30 inches in width with the bottom sideboard depth stretching 8 inches and the top board being 5.25 inches. 

Each of these wagons is a great surviving example from America’s first transportation industry.  A period so intense with competition that the lessons learned then still have relevance today.  Thank you to the Woodfords and Bill Nigg for sharing these two vehicles from their collections. 

He Drove A Mandt Wagon

As I’ve grown older, there’s more about my family I wish I would have asked before cherished members left for their heavenly reward.  Some questions, no doubt, would have had more depth as I looked for greater understanding to my own heritage.  Others, though, would have been elements of simpler curiosity and general conversation.   Queries like… What’s the most acreage you ever plowed with your mule in a day?  Or… How long would a container of milk stay fresh when placed in the cold spring?  Or… How old were you when you started driving a team? 

Being fascinated with early wagons, I would almost certainly have asked more about the horse drawn vehicles my ancestors drove.  My dad has shared several stories, himself, and his dad once told me a particularly interesting account that I’ve never forgotten.  Seems he was using his team and wagon to pull up some old fence posts.  One, particularly stubborn post would not budge and as the team strained, the chain hooked between the wagon axle and post actually lifted the rear of the wagon up.  Once the wheels left the ground, the entire gear and box flipped upside down in an instant.  Making matters worse, one of my uncles – a youngster at the time – was in the bed of the wagon.  As my granddad told the story, he was still amazed at how fast it all happened but, even more surprised that the adrenalin generated by the emergency allowed him to quickly lift the double box and gear off the ground and rescue his son, bright-eyed but unhurt. 

I’ve recorded a few other old family accounts involving wagons – one involving a run-away team and another related to the echo of trace and stay chains as neighboring teams began work every morning.  Unfortunately, all that remains of my granddad’s wagon, though, is a lone box rod (found near the old wagon shed by my grandmother and I one fall afternoon) and a single board spring seat; saved only by being stored and forgotten in the cellar for more than a half century.  A few years ago, one of my mother’s sisters came across a photo of their uncle in a wagon.  Knowing my enthusiasm for this subject, my aunt passed this aged photo along to me.  As I peered through the magnifying loupe into the faces of family I never had the privilege of knowing, I found myself staring intently at the wagon as well.  Scanning and enlarging the near century-old image helped to bring out more details.  Almost instantly, the features of a Mandt brand wagon began to surface; the tubular bolster standards, hardware, faded paint and lettering all bore witness to this legendary maker. 

While our archive collection of literature contains a number of Mandt sales pieces, I’ve yet to come across the ideal Mandt wagon for our vehicle collection.  Someday maybe.  In the meantime, there is much to be shared before this subject, like so much of our individual and collective heritage, is forgotten and unreachable. 

In so many ways, the pace of life today can overlook the depth and fulfillment of simpler pleasures and family connections.  I’ll likely never know what brand of wagon any of my grandparents owned.  But, I now know, there was a great uncle that drove a well-worn legend on wheels.  Its name was Mandt.

More Westerns now on INSP

For those of us who never get enough of the Old West, the INSP television network is quickly establishing itself as THE place to go for legendary serial western shows.  Back in July, officials there let us know they had added The Big Valley along with Bonanza and a number of western movie classics to their “Saddle-Up Saturday” programming.

Now, they’ve confirmed that even more of these popular westerns are scheduled to begin airing on Saturday, September 15^th.  In fact, well-known favorites like The High Chaparral and The Virginian will enjoy an exclusive home on the family-friendly INSP Network.  As part of the kickoff of these new additions, INSP will have a marathon of The High Chaparral episodes on September 15^th.  The following Saturday will feature another marathon celebrating the 50^th Anniversary of The Virginian.  So, ‘Saddle-Up Saturday’ and check out the all-star lineup of popular cowboy and western programs on INSP. 

The INSP network is available in more than 70 million households across the U.S. on more than 2,800 cable systems and on DirecTV channel 364, Dish Network channel 269, AT&T  U-verse channel 564 and Verizon FiOs channel 242.   See your local program guides for more channel details or visit www.insp.com 

What Was It Called?

Some of the most often debated topics in horse-drawn vehicle circles can center on questions related to the names of vehicles and the associated parts thereof.  Getting a comfortable handle on what might seem to be simple nineteenth century jargon can easily turn into a confusing and frustrating experience; often because multiple reference names were sometimes used among the end users as well as the manufacturers.  These variations can occasionally be tracked to regions of the country but, as people moved throughout the U.S., they often carried their terminology with them, ultimately adding to the challenges of understanding all of the parts and the whole.   

I have a friend who has been chided for calling Sheep herder wagons – “Sheep wagons.”  He’s often told something like, “Those wagons weren’t used by the sheep,” and then corrected for a supposed misapplication of the vehicle name.  Truth is, the wagon-making industry, itself, referred to these vehicles in a number of ways.  Sheep Camp wagons, Sheep Herder wagons and, yes, even Sheep wagons were among the references given to these vehicles. 

There are numerous other examples where multiple names are given for different wagon parts… Bolster standards are sometimes referred to as bolster stakes; a reach is the same as a coupling pole; a singletree might have also been called a swingletree or whiffletree; a slider might be referenced as the upper sway bar; and clouts could be pointed out as upper and lower skeins.  America’s early wagons and western vehicles were anything but simple.  Yet, acquiring an understanding of all of the accurate part names is the first step in both communicating and understanding these rolling works of art.

When it comes to helping highlight specific wagon nomenclature, we created a call-out section within our “Making Tracks” print that covers some of the more common terminology typically referring to wagons built in the U.S.  You’ll see a bit more descriptive of that by clicking this link to our website.