Horseandcarriagebooks Blog

Model Kits

Kayo Fraser — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 20:22:23 +0000

We now sell a few new kits – this Doctor’s Buggy has just been released a few months ago.

Doctor’s Buggy Kit by Model Trailways. NEW!
Designed for historical accuracy and easy assembly. Fine basswood and cherry parts are laser cut to eliminate tedious sanding and shaping. Perfectly machined aluminum hubs, wooden spokes and rims replicate the wheels. Photo-etched brass and cleanly cast Britannia metal parts add life-like detail. Three sheets of plans and illustrated instructions explain every stage of construction. 1:12 scale. Length 8″, width 5 1/2″, and 8″ tall.
MS6003 $119.99 + s/h – sale price is $75 for December only.

If you didn’t already see these – we also have the Stagecoach kit

Concord Stagecoach Kit
Laser cut basswood & plywood parts. Over a dozen 24” basswood strips, Wooden dowels, Photo-etched brass detail sheet, Over 100 brass bars, rods, nails & detail parts, Cast Britannia metal door hinges & axles, Cotton line & fabric, Decal sets for Wells Fargo & Butterfield Overland companies. 1:12 scale. Length 13 3/4″, Width 8 3/4″

#MS6001 $229.99 + s/h

and the Conestoga Wagon Kit

Conestoga Kit 1750-1850 era
This kit is the most historically accurate Conestoga wagon ever produced. Highly detailed realistic material include laser-cut basswood body and wheel parts, metal hubs and axles, miniature nails, canvas cover and scale rope and chain. A sheet of photo-etched brass parts replicates the hardware and decorations of a full size vehicle. The finished model is complete with working brakes and suspension. Five sheets of plans plus clearly written illustrated instructions make building easy. 1: 12 scale, Length 19″, Height 9″, Width 6″.

#MS6001 $229.99 + s/h

To order call Wild Horse Books at 406-846-3686

or email books@wildhorsebooks.com

I don’t have it set up to order on line at this time but I do accept PayPal, Visa, MasterCard and Discover.

Abbot-Downing: Coach and Wagon Makers to the World

Kayo Fraser — Tue, 12 Jul 2011 20:43:48 +0000

The New Hampshire Historical Society has reprinted the Abbott-Downing book and added new information as well. As they state:

This newly released and richly illustrated book presents an overview history of the Abbot-Downing Company and examines the art and science of coach decoration through the work of John Burgum, on of the company’s chief ornamental painters. Also includes a list of surviving Concord coaches that have been identified to date. Contributors to the book are Harry N. Scheiber, professor of history and law at the University of California, Merri Ferrell, past curator of the carriage collection at the Long Island Museum of America, Christopher Augerson, former conservator of paint and gilding at the Chateau of Versailles Coach Museum and William Copeley, librarian at the New Hampshire Historical Society. Edited by Donna-Belle Garvin. Soft cover.

I will have these in stock by July 18, 2011 – price is $10.95
plus $3 book rate $6 priority to US addresses.

http://www.wildhorsebooks.com

Fall Girl

Kayo Fraser — Tue, 12 Jul 2011 20:22:54 +0000

There are several books I’d like to add to this blog – the first is this book by Martha Crawford Cantarini.

Fall Girl

Fall Girl is about Martha’s experiences as a stunt woman in the old western movies. Fascinating experiences but it is even more than a memoir it is about her experiences with the horses she trained and used to do the stunts. Horses were willing to do things for Martha that no one else could get them to do. Martha’s abilities to get her horses to trust her and do anything she asked of them – is inspiring. I sell this book for the retail price of $35 the same as Amazon.

Read the reviews on amazon.com or go to Horse talk

It is also available as an ebook. I only sell real books.

I can mail it book rate for $3 or priority for $6.

Martha is writing another book about Frosty – a horse she fell in love with that no one else wanted – and turned him into one of the most beautiful and talented horses in the world.

You will fall in love with Martha and this book! I did!

7 inch wheels

Kayo Fraser — Mon, 27 Jun 2011 22:08:27 +0000

7″ wheels are now available for $20 each plus s/h.

You can order other sizes from 3″, 4″, 5″, and 6″ with a new option for 1/2 inch sizes too. Let me know what you need and my wheel maker will try to build the size you need.

Model wooden wheels

Kayo Fraser — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 19:24:42 +0000

There is a variety of model wheels available but limiting in size and materials. The wheels I have found that look nice can be found on my web site here Model Wheels

But as I learn more about doing this blog – I wanted to show the new model wheels that have recently been added to my web page,

3" to 6" model wheels

These can also be ordered in the smaller sizes as found on the web page above. They look very nice, the spokes are placed in the felloes and glued.

If you want to build your own wheels you may want to order the books by Windy Hill the books have traceable patterns and templates for building a variety of wheel sizes. These are for display only. If you want to build wheels for a real vehicle pulled by horses, I have books for that too. You can go to the Vehicle Books pages on my web site and look for the titles Wheels, Wheels, Wagon and More, Wheelwrighting: a Modern Introduction, Wheelmaking and Wheelwright’s Trade. There is also a DVD/video called The Art of Wheelwrighting. I highly recommend you watch that video – before you start buying special shop tools, equipment, spokes, hubs, rims and felloes – you will see what is involved in building a traditional buggy wheel. If you still want to learn how to build wheels – buy all the books and then find someone who is willing to teach you. There is so much to learn – you will want someone to help you before you make a wrong cut on a spoke. I know two people who teach this trade – one has a web site and one does not. So contact me from my web site Wild Horse Books & Art and I’ll be happy to share the information.

If you want larger wheels and don’t want to make them, there are many people who can and do make them. Call or email me and I’ll share that info too.

Kayo Fraser – books@wildhorsebooks.com

Stagecoach Convention, Cody, WY Day 1

Kayo Fraser — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 17:12:52 +0000

Driving from Deer Lodge, MT to took the scenic route and cut south from Interstate 90 at Columbus. I had lunch in Red Lodge and a Mocha Frappe for traveling dessert as I drove out of town. Very beautiful area. You can either take the Bear tooth Highway (which suppose to be the most beautiful pass in the country) or go over to Belfry then south to Cody – which I chose to do…. the mountains were getting some ominous looking weather, and I wanted to reach Cody early enough to find my way around town.

After I checked into my motel – I drove around town to become familiar with the layout. There was an old west shoot out happening in front of the Irma Hotel – but I didn’t stop to watch. Parking was an issue and it was starting to rain, so I drove to the other end of town, and back for a nap. Yeah, I am of the age where afternoon naps are not a luxury – they are required sometimes. After my nap, I found a spot for dinner then drove around town again. I decided to stop at the Irma and look at the shops – and ran into some friends from Bozeman – Nick and Betty. There were there for the convention too. Nick invited me to join them for a cocktail – so we went to the Irma bar. OH MY GAUD! You need an oxygen mask! In Montana they have passed the law to not allow smoking in public buildings (whew) but this was not a law in Cody, WY. The smoke was so thick you could almost sit on it – but we stayed for a drink anyway and had a nice chat. I had to take a shower when I got back to the motel – so my skin and hair would not smell like old bar and cigarettes. The Irma was a neat place anyway, but our next visit there the next night was in the Restaurant – which was not as bad. Service was good and so was the food.

I was so excited to be in town – I got up about 5 AM and drove around town. This was one of the few times the sun shined that day. The parking lot is never this empty during the open hours. Tour buses and campers and cars were everywhere!

The first day’s activities was held at the Buffalo Bill Historic Center (BBHC) which is a tremendous Museum – maybe the best in the world – on the Western Heritage. Buffalo Bill made the west popular when he traveled the world putting on the Wild West Shows. This Center holds a variety of museums including a wing for Firearms, Western art, Plains Indians and so much more. Here is the Museum a little closer.

The Buffalo Bill Center: The first thing you see inside is one of the authentic Yellowstone Coaches.; Yellowstone National Park Coach; After we signed in we were led to a conference room in the basement where we got the chance to visit with everyone. I met some of my long-time book buying customers, and saw many old-time friends and associates.; Jeff McManus, Ashlee Ganoung & Rawhide Johnson

I should first mention, Ashlell Ganoung in the middle of this photo is the Treasurer for the NSFWA and did an awesome job setting up this conference. She did the work and cared for her baby too.; The Board members welcomed us and the presentation started with:; Gerry Groenewold who gave a power point presentation on His Buffalo Bill Stage coach,; Gerry Groenwold; Next David Sneed – of the famed Wheels That Won The West posters – gave a presentation on the Western Vehicle Brands and Recent Discoveries,; David Sneed; It was not easy to get these shots in the dark so here is David and his wife Tonya; David & Tonya Sneed; Next Doug Hansen from Hansen Wheel Shop gave a presentation of the Ft. Pierre Deadwood Trail – Revisited. He drove a team of four hitched to a stage coach following the old trail – and even showed us a mishap crossing a river.; Doug Hansen; We took a lunch break and had some free time to see the museum. After lunch a bunch of people were able to get a private tour of the BBHC Vault. The rest of us enjoyed a lecture by Paul Fee on the BBHC’s Buffalo Bill Stagecoach.; Paul Fee; I had to take several shots of this coach and the trace hooks and harness.; Trace hooks on stagecoach; Yoke; Horses, Harness and Stagecoach; Some of the other vehicles in the BBHC are below.; Chuck Wagon

Freight Wagon

One of Buffalo Bill’s carriages

Buffalo Bill with his horses and carriage; I wanted to show this picture so you can see the horses he drove to the carriage above.; There was so much to see – I could not possible get it all in. We had a little free time before dinner so I took my therapeutic nap. Well, I didn’t get a real nap but rested my eyes a little and was ready to go to the Cody Cattle Company for Prime Rib dinner.; This post is getting a little long. I think I will make a new post for the next day of the Convention.

Stagecoach conference Cody, WY Day 2

Kayo Fraser — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 01:22:00 +0000

← Stagecoach Convention, Cody, WY Day 1

Scenic Byway, June 2010 →

Stagecoach Convention, Cody, WY day 2

Posted on July 8, 2010 by kayofraser

Saturday June 12, 2010

I forgot to put the date on day 1 of the Stagecoach Convention in Cody, WY Even though I am posting it in July it was held in June. Deal with it!

Morning of day 2 started with breakfast for me at:

5 cent coffee

It is right next door to one of the most interesting stores with a huge addition on the back with a Miniature Village that took the owner 50 years to finish. It starts with the Indians and their buffalo cliff jumps, to when the settlers came, the army, the railroad and circling back around to the Buffalo Bill Wild West Show – all in miniature. The parimenter of the showroom is an incredible private collection of Indian Artifacts. Maybe one of the best deals in town – it is all free to see. donations are accepted and I left a donation twice. I found this place my first night in Cody. They were about the only place open at night and it was getting late so I went back on Saturday to take some photos. I won’t show all the photos but I have to say – I was impressed!

Trading post

Miniature Village

Some of the collection of artifacts around the village

Even though I took those picture after the the mornings presentation, it just fit to put these in where I did.

The morning Conference started with an open forum to see where the members were from, what their interest is in the Association and where they would like to see go.

My interest was in recording the information in a book or DVD.

By the way, I did get to set up a small booth for my books and plans for Wild Horse Books and Art

Wild Horse Book Booth

I set up next to the Association’s back drop – just because it had good light and located next to the bathroom. People eventually have to go…. I also took some plans for building a variety of stagecoaches, delivery wagons and Army Escort Wagons and a few stagecoach models. But the books received the most attention. I could not bring them all – but I did have a good representation of the material I provide for people interested in building, restoring, conserving or researching horse drawn vehicles.

Jeff McManus gave a presentation on the Local Freighting Trails. He was able to find and photograph many of the old routes where the impression in the prairie was still evident from the heavy wagons taking good across Wyoming. After all these years the tracks can still been seen.

Jeff McManus, with Ashlee and Rawhide

I didn’t have a photo of Jeff’s presentation so I am using the one from yesterday.

Ashlee in the middle, is the Ramrod for getting this conference organized. Rawhide Johnson was the next speaker talking about and showingEvolution of Harness and Staging Artifacts.

Rawhide Johnson

It is wonderful that so much knowledge was shared and so many vehicles have been preserved. Now to get the Assoc to do a book!

The morning presentation was over but we were all invited to tour Old Trail Town right next door to the Cody Cattle Company – at a group rate. I wanted to see this and finally got the chance to go over for some photos. Betty McCoy watched my booth for me. A fella from Texas went on the tour but told me not to tear down my booth until he could come back and shop. I am always willing to let people shop – expecially since we all came from so far. It saves postage too. And buys gas to get home.

Old Trail Town

Trail Town sign

There is so many vehicles here – I took lots of shots but won’t put them all on.

Trail Town

Trail Town tour of the top historic vehicle minds!

Doug Hansen and David Sneed are showing a member things to look for.

Tour of the wagons

There were so many vehicles in all stages of rot and decay – a vehicle lover wants to restore them all. No possible – but at least these are brought together in a place where people can still see them, and where the experts can show how to identify the wagon makers.

So many wagons, so little time to talk about them all.

Trail town, inside the blacksmith shop

Trail Town in a building. Looks like a stagecoach in the back!

Trail Town – in the barn

There were better vehicles in the barn but I don’t think the Tour made it this far.

Trail Town Barn with sleighs and cutters

Trail Town – barn

Trail Town carriage in the barn

Hearse

In addition to the collection of horse drawn vehicles, Trail Town has moved many old historic buildings to the area.

Trail Town school

Old Store – furnished!

What amazes me is many of the building still have goods on the shelves, beds and furnishings in the cabins and none of it is climate controlled! It is just there to be seen!

Yes, they exhumed Jeremiah Johnson and planted him here in Trail Town. I had to visit his grave and wave at him. One of my favorite movies was about him – played by Robert Redford.

I could show a bunch more photos – but I won’t. Still more to tell about the conventions.

The Saturday evening events took us to The Mountain Trails Gallery. Vic Payne is the owner and sculptor – following in his father’s footsteps and behind him is his son. I can’t find my notes right now, so I can’t give you his name or a link.

Just let me say – it is worth a visit to this Gallery. The art is extraordinary! All mediums are displayed and by many artists. The bronzes are to drool over. If you are a collector of western art – this is the place. Vic was a warm and interesting man, his wife was wonderful to us and she made some of the best snacks and hors d’oeuvres. Very nice people – with lots of talent!

Gallery

Gallery Bronze

Traveling west by stage, covered wagon or prairie schooner was a challenge filled with death, danger, hills, swollen rivers, attacks and not to mention weather extremes. This bronze shows some of difficulties and how the women had to help help in any way possible. I don’t know if you can see – but she has a rope tied to the brake on the wagon helping to slow its decent. I am always amazed at the hardships the pioneers endured and admire their determination, strength and dedication to make a better life- west.

The Gallery also had a nice collection of vehicles.

Monida stagecoach

Sheepherder wagon

Chuck Wagon

Stage coach

It was a wonderful evening and a spectacular Conference.

I came home via the Chief Joseph Scenic Byway and through Yellowstone National Park. I’ll save those photos for another blog. I will end this post here.

New to blogging – trying to figure it out.

Kayo Fraser — Sat, 26 Jun 2010 15:34:22 +0000

A few of my customers have requested I set up a blog. I told them that is a lot to teach this old dog…. but I decided I was not so old and I could learn. So here is my attempt at doing this.

When I get new books, plans, kits, parts or other resources – I will mention them here. If anyone wants to keep track of what is new – then subscribe on the left somewhere and when I post something new – you will be notified by email. There won’t be much new to begin with, since I am still scratching my head as I figure this out.

Kayo