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JJDESIGNS NEWS UPDATE 15[SUP]th[/SUP] APRIL 2024
THE EIGHTEENTH CENTURY
THE CONESTOGA WAGON AND RESTOCK
The Conestoga Wagon is a specific design of heavy covered wagon that was used extensively during the late eighteenth century and the nineteenth century in the eastern United States and Canada.
It was large enough to transport loads up to six tons, and was drawn by horses, mules or oxen.
It was designed to help keep its contents from moving about when in motion and to aid it in crossing rivers and streams.
Most covered wagons used in the westward expansion of the United States were not Conestoga wagons but rather ordinary farm wagons fitted with canvas covers, as actual Conestoga Wagons were too heavy for the praires.
**Please remember the horses will be sold separately.**
The Conestoga wagon was built with its floor curved upward to prevent the contents from tipping and shifting.
Including its tongue, the average Conestoga wagon was 18 feet (5.5 m) long, 11 feet (3.4 m) high, and 4 feet (1.2 m) in width. It could carry up to 12,000 pounds (5,400 kg) of cargo.
The seams in the wagon's body were caulked with tar to protect them from leaking while crossing rivers.
A tough white canvas cover was stretched across the wagon for protection from the elements.
The frame and suspension were wood, and the wheels were often iron-rimmed for greater durability. Water barrels were built on the side of the wagon, toolboxes held tools needed for repair, and a feed box on the back of the wagon was used to feed the horses.
The early freight wagon was not intended to be ridden upon. The wagon had a brake handle on the left side between the two wheels, and a teamster either walked beside the wagon or could ride standing (and could sit for a rough ride) on a pull-out board, called a lazy board, that provided access to the brake handle.
The left horse near the wagon was referred to as the wheel horse and was sometimes ridden.
The Conestoga wagon began the custom of "driving" on the right-hand side of the road
**Please remember the oxen will be sold separately.**
EIGHTEENTH CENTURY ARTILLERY LIMBER
Limbers were used when transporting cannon by horse over long distances. Attached to the gun carriage, it transformed it from two wheels to a four wheeled vehicle.
**Please remember the oxen will be sold separately, as well as the artillery piece.**
In the Eighteenth Century artillery limbers played a crucial role in the movement and deployment of field artillery.
The limber was a two wheeled cart specifically designed to support the trail of an artillery piece or the stock of a field carriage, such as a caisson or traveling forge.
The artillery piece when needed to be towed was raised over the limber and then lowered with a pintle fitting into a hole in the trail.
Horses or other draft animals were harnessed in a single file to haul the limber.
**Please remember the horses will be sold separately, as well as the artillery piece.**
The Conestoga Wagon, Small Eighteenth Century Limber, and Small Cart, along with the horses and oxen (which of course are sold separately) will be available with the June 2024 shipments.
Please contact your local dealer to pre-order, and make sure you do not miss out.
Best wishes,
john jenkins
THE EIGHTEENTH CENTURY
THE CONESTOGA WAGON AND RESTOCK
The Conestoga Wagon is a specific design of heavy covered wagon that was used extensively during the late eighteenth century and the nineteenth century in the eastern United States and Canada.
It was large enough to transport loads up to six tons, and was drawn by horses, mules or oxen.
It was designed to help keep its contents from moving about when in motion and to aid it in crossing rivers and streams.
Most covered wagons used in the westward expansion of the United States were not Conestoga wagons but rather ordinary farm wagons fitted with canvas covers, as actual Conestoga Wagons were too heavy for the praires.
**Please remember the horses will be sold separately.**
The Conestoga wagon was built with its floor curved upward to prevent the contents from tipping and shifting.
Including its tongue, the average Conestoga wagon was 18 feet (5.5 m) long, 11 feet (3.4 m) high, and 4 feet (1.2 m) in width. It could carry up to 12,000 pounds (5,400 kg) of cargo.
The seams in the wagon's body were caulked with tar to protect them from leaking while crossing rivers.
A tough white canvas cover was stretched across the wagon for protection from the elements.
The frame and suspension were wood, and the wheels were often iron-rimmed for greater durability. Water barrels were built on the side of the wagon, toolboxes held tools needed for repair, and a feed box on the back of the wagon was used to feed the horses.
The early freight wagon was not intended to be ridden upon. The wagon had a brake handle on the left side between the two wheels, and a teamster either walked beside the wagon or could ride standing (and could sit for a rough ride) on a pull-out board, called a lazy board, that provided access to the brake handle.
The left horse near the wagon was referred to as the wheel horse and was sometimes ridden.
The Conestoga wagon began the custom of "driving" on the right-hand side of the road
**Please remember the oxen will be sold separately.**
EIGHTEENTH CENTURY ARTILLERY LIMBER
Limbers were used when transporting cannon by horse over long distances. Attached to the gun carriage, it transformed it from two wheels to a four wheeled vehicle.
**Please remember the oxen will be sold separately, as well as the artillery piece.**
In the Eighteenth Century artillery limbers played a crucial role in the movement and deployment of field artillery.
The limber was a two wheeled cart specifically designed to support the trail of an artillery piece or the stock of a field carriage, such as a caisson or traveling forge.
The artillery piece when needed to be towed was raised over the limber and then lowered with a pintle fitting into a hole in the trail.
Horses or other draft animals were harnessed in a single file to haul the limber.
**Please remember the horses will be sold separately, as well as the artillery piece.**
The Conestoga Wagon, Small Eighteenth Century Limber, and Small Cart, along with the horses and oxen (which of course are sold separately) will be available with the June 2024 shipments.
Please contact your local dealer to pre-order, and make sure you do not miss out.
Best wishes,
john jenkins
