Aluminum Fine Harness Buggy? Parts?

[red_mares]

I was back in the Midwest over Christmas, and one of the local Ams was looking for information on restoring his junk yard treasure - a fine harness buggy. I didn’t see the box, which he had off being painted, just the chrome axles. The axles looked pretty typical fine harness type, made from square tube stock. He said the box was 3/4" aluminum. Any fine harness buggy I’ve seen (Jerald, Houghton) I thought were wood. Who makes aluminum ones?

Also anyone have suggestions for parts? Especially places with hard copy catalogs. I sent him a BigD catalog. Most of my parts have come from Jerald (that’s what I’ve redone) or online. I don’t think this Amishman’s phone was a smart phone, so internet only resources are out.

Does anyone else think it’s funny that an Amish man was asking an English woman for help on buggy repair?

[goodhors]

Not surprised, we have resources that they can’t imagine. I have to think he has gotten good tips from other “English” ladies who love to help out. Actually works well, Amish give us a lot of practical information as well. Sensible in most cases, simple without any frills, for a whole different viewpoint about our horse, vehicle or whatever. Sometimes we DO make things overly complicated when it doesn’t have to be!

I expect he is fixing the vehicle for showing off a Dutch Harness Horse. That is the “traditional” show vehicle for them to allow the best display of ACTION and no interference from the vehicle weight. Those folks have a lot invested in their stallions, so good presentation counts for a great deal as folks shop for stud service on their mares.

Did you give him the Jerald Co. information? I would think he could use Jerald parts, even if vehicle is not a Jerald.

[Renae]

The traditional show vehicle for a Dutch Harness Horse is a Dutch Showwagen, a large style viceroy. A fine harness buggy is quite a bit different style wise.

Aluminum fine harness buggy make me think of South Africa, where a lot of the buggies are homemade or made by local craftsmen as the cost of importing a vehicle is huge. Likely the buggy you friend has was custom crafted or built in a small shop. I have seen several Amishmen custom crafting Dutch style showwagens for their Dutch Harness Horses, larger vehicles that you sit up higher in, again more like a viceroy.

[red_mares]

That’s kind of what I was thinking. I’ve seen some pretty ghetto FHB knockoffs created out there. The guy who found it, has a copy of S&B, and identified his find from an add. I wish I could have seen more than the axles. Still have to find parts for him.

[Renae]

Showwagen http://www.excalibur-ltd.com/Saddles/

Fine Harness Buggy http://www.jeraldsulky.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=Horse%20FHB

One big difference besides the obvious body style is the springs. Also the shafts on Eurpoean viceroys and showwagens are a different style.

[goodhors]

Thank you Renae, learn something new every day here! Should have thought that the Dutch would have a home style of vehicle for their DHH, not importing FHB from here.

Devil is in the details, should have looked closer at the photos I saw. Would have been more obvious to me. The Showwagen is cute.