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Step-by-Step Guide to Rebuilding Spring Wagons

by Bob and Charlotte Marshall

254 pages; quality trade paperback (softcover); catalogue #07-0642; ISBN 1-4251-2241-8; US$20.00, C$23.00, EUR15.59, £10.34

Detailed book capturing master wagon builders' procedures and secrets to rebuilding historical spring wagons. This in-depth guide provides easy to follow instructions supported by over 180 illustrations and pictures.

About the Book

This is a detailed book capturing master wagon builders' procedures and secrets to rebuilding historical homesteader-era spring wagons. This in-depth guide provides easy to follow instructions supported by over 180 illustrations and pictures. This book will take the reader through the entire process, starting with deciding on what type of wagon to build through the building process and finishing with the care and storage of the wagon. The authors discuss whether to use new gear or restore existing gear. All of the running gear that the Marshall's have obtained was located in the Northwest of the United States. The in-depth processes and how-to restore or repair running gear is insightful, and includes discussions about identifying stress points that may need reinforcement or replacement. With the experience of building over 45 wagons, the authors capture numerous procedures they developed to restore, rebuild, manufacture or improve on existing gear. Each wagon they have built has been used for any variety of activities to include, wagon trains, parades, weddings, funerals, local school agricultural days, local town events, charity projects, or as displays at local businesses, museums, or threshing bees. Their final products are usable and durable wagons. Numerous pictures supported with multiple illustrations drawn by the authors guide the reader through each step. Rebuilding historical wagons is a dying art. When the authors went in search of instructional help for their first wagon, little was to be found. To rectify this, the authors set about capturing their knowledge, expertise and experience in the hope that this would assist aspiring individuals in the art of rebuilding spring wagons.

About the Author

Bob grew up in western Montana among loggers and the highway maintenance community of Ravalli. His first love was for the logging trucks and later construction equipment. Bob earned a degree in drafting and industrial art from Northern Montana College in Havre, Montana, which have both served him well in the visualizing of how to build wagons. He served in the Army in Europe as a Construction Engineer. He later worked as a mechanic in the Montana Army National Guard before joining the Montana Highway Patrol. Hence the Marshall's acute interest in the Montana Highway Patrol sponsored Hope Project for critically ill children.

Charlotte grew up on a farm/ranch with small grain crops, horses and cattle just north of Conrad, Montana. Being involved with the cattle, horses and participating in all the farming and ranch activities were her joy. She majored in Agriculture at Montana State University at Bozeman, Montana where she met Bob on a blind date.

They married and established a grain farm between Shelby, Montana and the Canadian border. They raised three children, Clay, Ward and Gwen and instilled the farm work within in each as all three ran every piece of equipment. All three children served full careers in the U.S. Army. Bob and Charlotte were very successful farmer and are staying very busy building wagons in their retirement.

After building their first wagon they were smitten with the wagon building bug as a hobby to pursue during the long cold Montana winters. The Marshall's find it fun to search out the old original running gear used during the time of the area homesteaders. They were surprised to discover how many different wagons were built. They greatly admire the original workmanship and wanted to preserve that part of our history. Yes, they could bring these original wagons back to life, and yes they wanted a spring wagon to ride in for the comfortable smooth ride.

The Marshall's enjoy sharing the horses and wagons with the Hope Project recipients and their families. They built a flat bed wagon for the hayrides at the local threshing bee and the area school children love a wagon ride for agriculture day each year. They also exhibit them in local businesses and museums

While Charlotte gives rides at events like local threshing bees, Bob enjoys sharing the particulars and history of the wagons. After answering the same questions many times, the idea of a book was born.