In my studies of early American wagons, I’ve
had the opportunity to review thousands of different sets of wheels. Over time, I’ve come to the conclusion that most
of the survivors are mysteries just waiting to be solved. In other words, seldom has the vehicle been
so thoroughly evaluated that its entire story is known or told. Instead, most of these rolling works of art are
presented with basic, limited descriptions and, if we’re not careful, we tend
to fill in the blanks with best guesses, assumptions, or even disinterest. Worst yet, a lack of information can
contribute to depressed vehicle values and missed opportunity to restore a great historical narrative.
Rarely are there complete dead ends to
any of this research. While efforts to fill in background details often
take considerable time, even if the personal history of a particular vehicle
cannot be traced, the makeup of the piece can say a great deal about its past. Construction elements can point to a
particular maker, era of manufacture, levels of originality, and period
advancements. Few designs are as simple as they might appear. With that
thought in mind, another point to remember is that different types of
innovation are often unrecognized by modern audiences. As a result, they are regularly overlooked –
even within some museum settings. Clearly,
anytime something goes unnoticed, there is a possibility for both positive and
negative surprises.
For collectors, when it comes time to
buy a piece, it’s helpful to know as much as possible about the vehicle. Several years ago, I watched an early 20th
century wagon sell at auction for a fairly high price. It was a well-known brand and heavily
promoted as a rare example of a completely original wagon. While it was predominantly equipped as it was
from the factory, it was not an all-original piece. Unbeknownst to most, the doubletree and
singletrees were from another brand.
This might seem like a small point but, to a collector, finding out this
information after the fact can be both embarrassing and potentially
costly. Locating the correct pieces to
replace wrong elements can require considerable time as well as additional
funds to ensure the vehicle is indeed original.
Nonetheless, the doubletree, in
particular, was intriguing to me as it represented technology dating to the
late 1800’s. The distinction lay in
tightly coiled springs on the outer edges of the evener. These springs were connected to the
singletrees, providing a cushion of sorts when the wagon was drawn. The springs were said to save wear and tear
on the horses’ shoulders as well as the harness. It was also claimed to help prevent the
tendency of excitable horses to balk.
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This image shows part of an early doubletree patent. It was one of dozens focused on improving eveners. |
While some U.S. patents on doubletrees will
predate the Civil War, there were continual advances in this arena all the way
through the early 1900’s. There is
easily more than a half century of patent submissions and approvals on just this
one segment of period wagon accessories. In my
presentations, evaluations, and discussions with others, these types of revelations can
come as a surprise. They’re
another reminder, though, that wood-wheeled wagons are far from simple machines. Knowing these details with indisputable
confidence can greatly enhance our own appreciation for a set of wheels while also creating opportunities to showcase the vehicle as the historic piece it is.
Please Note: As with each of our blog writings, all imagery and text is copyrighted with All Rights Reserved. The material may not be broadcast, published, rewritten, or redistributed without prior written permission from David E. Sneed, Wheels That Won The West® Archives.
Please Note: As with each of our blog writings, all imagery and text is copyrighted with All Rights Reserved. The material may not be broadcast, published, rewritten, or redistributed without prior written permission from David E. Sneed, Wheels That Won The West® Archives.
