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[truckhound]

I just recently acquired a hose reel in fairly good condition. Wheels are in great shape with no rot or damage that my untrained eye can see. She's destined for restoration this winter.

There doesn't appear to be much info on these so far as I can tell.  Does anyone know any of the tell-tell signs for identifying the maker?  I've had it apart and there is no "WK" on the wheels anywhere.  Although not noticible from the pics, the wheels have a concave shape. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[magicitybill]

That is a great looking cart. You will find that is a good size too. Large enough to be interesting ( and it has the bells and whistels; nozzles, tool box, drag line, hose roller, ax, pry bar & brass trim) yet small enough to load on a small trailer and take anywhere! 

It is like a W & K but all of the Wirt Knox carts I have seen had the name cast into the flange of the wheel hubs and on the ends of the reel itself. W & K made forged frame carts like this though. I have not seen open hub caps on W & K carts. Mine are solid on the end. I think the forged carts are older than the tubular ones that W & K made so many of.

The concave shape of the wheels is called DISH. When loaded and turning to either side the force is applyed to the center of the wheel and the hub becomes the "keystone". The wheel then tightens up. If the spokes are loose you can use mineral spirets and linseed oil to make them swell tight. It make some time too.

[truckhound]

I appreciate the info.  Is there any info whether written or on the web somewhere on these?  Based on what you said, this is a forged frame and therefore possibly an older cart.  Based on the info I was given, this was from the mid to late 1800's.  I don't know how accurate that it though.

[magicitybill]

I think it is an older cart but the exact age might be hard to pin down. If you know who used it you might guess at its age by when it was replace or by what it replaced?
 
There is a W & K web site. You might find some reproduction catalogues (use a magnifing glass to examine details) and look at all the museum photos you can find! 

[magicitybill]

Look at the American La France cart on this page. The frame is similar but the hubs are not the same. Take a look at the others on this page too. Details!