Barbed Wire Identification

Barbed Wire Identification

"HOOKED ON BARBED WIRE"
Since you are still with us, we assume you are "hooked on barbed wire," as we say in the hobby. Read on to learn some of the fascinating facts and unique history of  The Devil's Rope.

BARBED WIRE FACTS

  • There are over 570 patented wires to search for in acquiring a collection.

  • Over 2,000 variations of these patented wires have been found and cataloged to date.

  • Less than 50% of the patented wires were manufactured commercially because of difficulty in producing the wire with automated machinery, or other excessive costs in manufacturing.

  • Less than 10% of all patented wires proved to be practical in actual use.

  • Those wires not produced in quantity, become rare and sought after by collectors.

  • In the final analysis, the Glidden patent #157,124 issued in 1874, and the Baker patent #273,2l9 issued in 1883, were the most practical and successful.

COLLECTING BARBED WIRE
Usually barbed wire specimens are collected in 18" lengths to show the spacing between the barbs. Due to space limitations, some collectors acquire specimens in 4" to 6" lengths to show the barb design only. Most collections are mounted on display boards with patent information shown in neat labels as well as occasional comments about the wire.

THE MYSTIQUE OF BARBED WIRE IDENTIFICATION
Some confusion may occur in wire identification for several reasons.

  • Early day patent office procedures allowed wire patents to be filed in several different categories making the patent information and design detail difficult to find.

  • Raw stock smooth wire purchased from the steel mills often varied in uniformity both in size and shape because of die wear and wire content ingredients.

  • Wires made by blacksmiths, small co-op groups, and non-licensed manufacturers were often intentionally made slightly different in design to circumvent patent infringement.

  • When the crude automated manufacturing equipment of the time began to wear, odd marked barbs and line wire appeared. Machinery malfunction created odd varieties of original design.

  
Barbed Wire Identification

A TYPICAL BARBED WIRE IDENTIFICATION BOOK & DISPLAY LABEL
barbed wire id pic2

730B. G-818, A-414, ()
            Hodge Spur Rowel on Large &
            Small Strands Variation

Twisted large and small strands with ten point sheet metal spur rowel barb. Variation of Patent #367,398, Aug. 2, 1887 by Chester A. Hodge of Beloit, Wisc.

  1. A detailed illustration of the barbed wire specimen is shown

  2. Next is the author's ID number, depending on the book being used. The other numbers following, are a cross index of other author's ID numbers.

  3. The barbed wire name follows with some distinguishing characteristics.

  4. A more detailed description is shown helping to identify the wire.

  5. Last, comes the patent number, date issued, the patentee's name and residence.

Once you are familiar with the label, identification is easy with whatever ID book you use.

WHAT IS PLANTER WIRE?
Planter Wire is a smooth wire, cable, or small rope with unique obstructions placed at intervals to activate a planter mechanism. Basically, it is the first device used in precision planting.

COLLECTING PLANTER WIRE
Collectors acquire 4" to 6" lengths of wire containing the obstruction device. Like barbed wire, the specimens are mounted on display boards with proper labeling. Identification of planter wire specimens is easy with ID books showing design details, patent number, date issued, and the inventor's name and residence.

COLLECTING WIRE WORKING TOOLS AND DEVICES
Over 2,000 tools were patented before 1935 to work barbed wire. Hundreds of blacksmith made tools not patented are also collectible. There are many larger machines that make picket fences, net wire fences, and snow fence. Most tools and other devices were made in the 1875 to 1900 time period. Collectors mount the smaller tools on display boards with proper labeling. Several books are available for assistance in identification.

COLLECTING WIRE CUT MEDICINE CONTAINERS AND ADVERTISING
Wire related items are also collectible. Among these are medicine containers, fence advertising, salesmen samples, decorative wrought iron fencing and patent models of wire and tools.

Barbed Wire Identification