Antique Barbed Wire Snags Collector Interest

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'At each show,' he says, 'a collector usually displays his collection of wire, fencing tools or other collectibles, such as date nails and farm tools. Prizes are awarded for outstanding displays.'

The collective experience at such events is invaluable to the novice.

'The best way for a collector to get started is to get acquainted with a long-time collector,' he says, 'and wire shows are a natural place to meet them. Old-timers will help in every way possible.'

If you're a new collector, you'll find that wire turns up surprisingly often. 'You can find wire by walking fence rows and other areas, and by trading with other collectors,' Harold says.

And a starter collection shouldn't break the bank.

'My favorite piece of wire is the Spur Rowel,' Harold says, 'and it has several variations. My book shows a trend value of about $6 per 18-inch piece. A few scarcer types have  a trend value of up to around $300. There are over 100 wires that can be obtained for less than $5 per piece. Some are as cheap as 25 cents. Prices have been fairly stable over the last 10 to 15 years, but occasionally a new and rare wire is found, and the price is usually pretty expensive. 'Collections consist of wire cut in exhibition-length pieces. Initially, collectors of wire presented specimens in 18-inch lengths. But short wires  four to five inches long - are becoming increasingly common. Harold collects short wires, and noun's them on panels in cases.

'I changed to short wire,' he says, 'because you can get many more wires on fewer panels, and they're easier to handle.'

Harold is the curator of the Devil's Rope Museum in McLean, Texas. The museum contains more than 3,000 wires, 750 fencing tools, and extensive ranching history in its library.

'Barbed Wire Identification Encyclopedia,' by Harold Hag Meier, 284 pp., soft cover, $15 plus $3.75 shipping and handling, available from the author at 7900 W. 81st Ave., #142, Amarillo, Texas, 79119; or from John Mantz, 1023 Baldwin Rd., Bakersfield, Calif., 93304. Also, for information on the American Barb Wire Collectors Society, contact John Mantz at the address above.

Gary Van Hoozer is a Missouri writer specializing in vintage agriculture and farm history.

Best of Barbed Wire:

Collectors pick the 'Magnificent Seven'

By John Mantz

Antique barbed wire collectors were polled recently on their seven favorite wires from among the more than 1,200 currently collected. Value was to play no part in the selection. A relatively 'common' wire worth 25 cents per 18-inch length had as much chance of being considered as did a rare one valued at as much as $250. The results surprised many.

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