From value assessments to features, no two antique vehicles are the same - EVEN if they "LOOK" like they're mirror images of each other. That's why it can be a disastrous leap to view the asking price of one old wagon and assume another one should be labeled with the same appraisal. It doesn't matter whether we're talking about farm wagons, sheep camps, chuck wagons, stages, military wagons, or whatever history is rolling on wooden wheels... at the end of the day, details make a difference and understanding those finer points can affect how satisfied we are or aren't with a sale or purchase.
With that in mind, whether we're speaking from the perspective of a collector, enthusiast, or historian, it's crucial to pay attention to every aspect of an early wagon or stage. This kind of focus recognizes that even the smallest elements have a story to share. In turn, those stories can help us understand more about the vehicle provenance, brand, innovations, uses/purposes, timeframe of use, and even distinctions that impact resale value.
With those points as a little background, there are times when an old horse-drawn vehicle may seem to have duplications woven into the design. Those features are typically a lot more than mindless repetitions; they can be anything from double-bracing of different parts to innovative features engineered to accomplish a specific goal. Ultimately, duplicities have a way of defining a set of wheels. Understanding those age-old secrets can give us much greater appreciation for the vehicle and its complexities.
This image shows a close-up of a double-tired rear wheel on a freighting gear. Image Copyright © David E. Sneed, All Rights Reserved.
For instance, when an enthusiast talks about a wagon with 'double tires,' this isn't a reference to something like a farm tractor or truck with dual sets of wheels and tires on an axle. When it comes to wagons, the 'double tires' phrase is a reference to two, separate and distinct metal bands surrounding a single wheel and making up the running surface of that wheel. (See the photo above for more detail) This feature instantly tells us that the vehicle was likely used for freighting in rugged and mountainous terrain. The reason for the double tire in this instance is that, when descending a grade, the rear wheels were often fixed in place with a lock-chain, forcing them to drag or skid their way down the incline. Done correctly, this added friction can help slow a steep decline and keep the wagon in a controlled position behind the draft animals. With repeated experiences like this, a locked rear tire(s) will heavily wear as it drags along, creating problems for the soundness of the wheel. Hence, this belt-and-suspenders approach to doubling the tire helps keep the structure of the wheel solid... with the outer tire taking the brunt of the wear and direct hits. There were other methods also used, including drag shoes but we've covered them in an earlier post.
This is one of several freight wagon images in our Wheels That Won The West® collection showing dual rear brakes. I've cropped in on the shot to make it easier to focus on the twin sets of brake blocks on the rear wheel. Also note the drag shoe. Image Copyright © David E. Sneed, All Rights Reserved.
While we're on the subject of brakes, there are also instances where a set of dual brakes have been used. In this particular reference, I'm focusing on times when an individual wheel is designed with a brake clamping both the front and back side of that wheel. This is typically done in situations involving heavy freighting; moments when the grip on the wheels needs serious control. Our Wheels That Won The West® Archives have a number of rare photos showing this type of heavy brake. I should mention that, while uncommon, there is evidence that this type of double-braking system was sometimes applied to the front wheels as well - especially in certain patents dealing with automatic braking features.
This Peter Schuttler wagon features a double box. It's just another way of saying it has two sets of sideboards and end gates. Image Copyright © David E. Sneed, All Rights Reserved.
Another duplicity involves the term 'double box.' This is a reference to the second set of sideboards and end gates on a farm wagon. The various number of 'sides' to a farm wagon are typically listed as single box, double box, and triple box. Any extra sideboards above that number are sometimes referred to as 'tip top' boards/box, bang boards, or other names (some regional) to the number (and type) of sideboards on a wagon.
This double-branded logo can still be seen on John Deere Triumph wagons. The Triumph name was a more 'value-oriented' offering within the John Deere product line. Image Copyright © David E. Sneed, All Rights Reserved.
Wagons can also be double-branded with either two company names or a company name and sub-brand name. Among the more rare, dual brands that are occasionally discovered are John Deere/Moline... Kentucky/Studebaker... and Springfield/Schuttler. More common dual brands include Moline/Mandt... Emerson-Brantingham/Newton... Charter Oak/Fairfield... IHC/Weber... John Deere/Triumph and more.
The U.S. Patent Office files contain numerous records of twin steering designs for early wagons. The one shown here is for a large House Mover. It dates to 1886. Image courtesy Wheels That Won The West® Archives.
Still other duplicities include those with multiple sets of steering features. Most wagons, including spring wagons, are designed with a single fifth wheel and pivot point allowing the front axle to turn and steer the vehicle. Others, however, are engineered with systems that turn both ends of the wagon at the same time. Orchard wagon gears are among the more common of these designs but there were others, including some logging and farm wagon styles. In fact, patent variations for these twin steering configurations can be found as early as the 1850s, long before the auto industry added it to its offerings. These dual axle steering features can be especially helpful in confined areas or places that require extremely short turning radiuses. Locating a farm or logging wagon with twin steering, would be a great find for a collector today.
The double tree designs for some wagon makers are highly identifiable. The one shown here was built by the Peter Schuttler brand in Chicago, Illinois. Image Copyright © David E. Sneed, All Rights Reserved.
Yet another wagon part making use of the 'double' term is the doubletree. For those not totally familiar with wagon nomenclature, this is the crossbar beam or evener that sits on (or in some cases under) the tongue, helping level out the draft of the load being pulled. At both ends of the doubletree are single trees that the traces/tugs of the animal harness are attached to. Many wagon makers designed their own style of doubletree as well.There are even some doubletrees with patented features.
This is a section from a 1919 advertisement promoting a double-branded, double box Moline Mandt wagon. Image courtesy Wheels That Won The West® Archives.
From double standards, double dips, double dares, and double portions to double vision, double duty, double time, and even double trouble, there are a lot of ways to double down on something. Antique wagons are no exception and can offer plenty of reasons to double back for a second look. So, the next time you're admiring an antique wagon, take a close look. There just may be unique features making it well worth a double take!