Trailblazers of the Wild West - Collecting Antique Farm Wagons

There is no better representation of early American history than the Antique Farm Wagon.  The heritage of the vintage wagon is firmly tied to the exploration and colonization of our great country, particularly the ‘Wild West.’  The legacy of the farm wagon has even carried on into the better part of the 21st century, with a few original brands still producing them in the 1960s.  Today, their period look and strong symbolic representation of the early history of this great country have made quality vintage and antique farm wagons a coveted collector’s item.  They also make a beautiful outdoor decoration!  

When buying an antique farm wagon, or starting an antique farm wagon collection, it is important that you do your research as a consumer.  Knowing the key brands, types of wagons, and their associated time periods will help you make an educated decision when it comes to investing in a valuable piece of history.  Unfortunately, as I have found through first-hand experience, there isn’t a lot of information out there on antique farm wagons.  What I did find however, were a few ways to help you find the ideal wagon without an extensive amount of knowledge.

Like any lasting investment, it is imperative that you thoroughly inspect the product when shopping for your vintage farm wagon.  Here are a few ways to potentially identify the brand and/or maker of your Antique Farm Wagon:
(courtesy of www.farmcollector.com)

Inspect the Metalwork

*Inspect axel skeins, bolster and sandboard plates, box rod plates, font hound hardware, and the reach plate for markings that could indicate a maker of the wagon.

*Skeins - Skeins are the thick, metal thimbles fitted over the ends of the axles and serve as the smooth surface upon which the wagon wheel rests and rolls. Numbers, initials, logos and even names may be cast into the shoulders of a skein. This information can be helpful for identification but is not always conclusive. Some larger companies, like Studebaker, had their own foundry and sold skeins to other makers and repairers. Consequently, different wagon brands might have skeins with a Studebaker Brothers (SB) mark but have no other affiliation with the company.

*Bolster and Sandboard plates (fifth wheel) - Unique designs, logos and numbers may be found here and on box rod hardware. Prominent brands regularly touted the differences and advantages of their fifth wheels since that was a component that sustained a lot of stress and could weaken over time.

*The style of metalwork on standards, circle irons, reach boxes and overall bracing can also contain information but usually must be compared to period catalogs for complete authentication.


Inspect the Paint

*The topic of paint includes all references to the overall shape, style, location and color of pinstripes, base colors, logo application, stenciled serial numbers, maker and dealer names, wheel and skein sizes, and other pigment-based marks.

*The practice of applying the dealer’s name goes back to the 1800s and is a marketing tradition still alive in today’s automobile industry.

*Even if the wagon has been repainted or the paint appears long gone, traces of valuable information can be found. Original paint colors may still be present beneath hub bands and other metal parts.

*Original color information is useful because it can help shrink the pool of potential makers. If the vehicle is still in an original state, it’s important to remember that stenciled lettering and numbers can be found anywhere on the box, gear and wheels. This sometimes means the box will need to be carefully lifted from the gear to allow a visual search of the top of the bolsters.

Inspect the Woodwork

*Do not overlook details in the woodwork! Some makers pressed numbers, symbols and other data into different areas and simple, cursory searches can easily miss these features. Look for details like those imprinted on inside box panels, side board cleats, and bottom and top of the box floor as well as inner and outer axle faces, inner wheel felloes, bolsters and brake blocks. One surviving mark may not be enough for identification, but when combined with other indicators from different parts of the wagon, it can be vitally important.


From Ordinary to Unique – A Brief of Antique Farm Wagons
(courtesy of http://www.farmcollector.com)

Wood-wheeled farm wagons were the most prevalent vehicle on the farms, plains, and ranches of 19th and early 20th century America. Even with such a dominant historical presence, they are still among the most unknown today. Beyond the research challenges of an enormously large horse-drawn transportation industry or poorly kept records from maker to maker, the greatest obstacle in learning much about Antique wagons may be that almost from the beginning, their go-anywhere, do-it-all design made them so popular that they became ordinary; ordinary to the point of being taken for granted and, ultimately, counted as useless. The result is that too many of these historical connections to our ancestry have been overlooked and left to rot in a forgotten barn, shed or field.

For every wagon desperately clinging to the last remnants of its wood, paint and identifiable markings, there are hundreds of thousands that have slipped away into a nameless, faceless obscurity. While some are forever lost, there’s a growing recognition and appreciation for those still in existence. Ironically, the same wagons that sold for a few hundred dollars when new can now fetch several thousand dollars. Just like other classic vehicles today, factors such as quality, rarity, condition, originality and the brand name have a tremendous impact on auction prices.

Perhaps though, the real value isn’t monetary after all. As most who have seen an antique wagon on display can confirm, these rolling icons have a way of drawing attention. Maybe the old wheels remind us of a simpler time, a greater sense of community or possibly it’s a feeling of belonging; a connection to the hopes, dreams and raw will that built America. Perhaps those are the real hidden truths we can all enjoy from these relics of yesterday still loaded with spirit for tomorrow.

A Few Different Types of Wagons
(courtesy of http://www.barnyardwagon.com)

Chuck Wagons

Chuck wagons are converted wagons, that have been transformed into mobile kitchens. They were used to transport food and supplies for trail crews and cattle drives. The chuck wagon served as the cook's traveling kitchen and the cowboy's home on long trail drives. It carried provisions for the trail hands, bedrolls, shovels, axes, rope, and even a few personal items. The chuck wagon stands as a sentimental symbol of the western legacy of a bygone era.

Conestoga Wagons

Conestoga wagons are broad wheeled covered wagons, that were used for transporting freight across the prairies. Conestoga wagons are not always available, but we can build to suit your needs.

Original Farm Wagons


Original farm wagons have been restored to original driving condition. Wheels, box and running gear are in excellent condition. We have several original condition models available to choose from.  Farm wagons can be fashioned into "covered wagons” by outfitting them with custom fit heavy duty cotton canvas covers.

Yard Wagons

    
Yard wagons are typically original farm wagons, that have not been restored. They are typically for display only. Wheels and wagon may not be in good enough condition to drive. We have a few good condition yard wagons to choose from.

Where to Buy Antique Farm Wagons

*  Chats Antique Wooden Farm Wagons - http://www.chatstractors.com/wagons.htm

*  Hansen Wheel and Wagon Shop - http://www.wagons-wheels.com/anfawaforsa.html

*  Local Farm Shows

*  Yakaz - http://for-sale.yakaz.com/old-wood-farm-wagons

*  eBay.com - http://shop.ebay.com/?_from=R40&_trksid=p3907.m38.l1313&_nkw=Antique+farm+wagon&_sacat=See-All-Categories

*  Craigslist.org

*  Google Products - http://www.google.com/products?q=antique+farm+wagon&hl=en&aq=f

Antique Wagon Price Guide