I have noticed several recent articles in Farm Collector magazine on chain saw collectors and would like to share my old saw with readers in the hope of getting some information.
I have talked with chain saw collectors at tractor and engine shows in my area, and no one has heard of my Farmcrest saw. I have never seen another one like it. I purchased mine used in the mid-1960s, and the seller said he thought it was sold by Montgomery Ward. Now, many years later, I associate the Farmcrest name with Gambles Hardware stores from the 1950s. I used it for a few years for small amounts of firewood. Other than being heavy, it was nearly impossible to stall. It was very powerful, but has no horsepower rating on the identification tag. The saw has been stored inside for 15 to 20 years and ran before it was put away.
It has a thumb-operated lever that unlocks a detent to allow the fuel tank, carburettor and handle to rotate 360 degrees, but will lock into 90-degree detents for cutting so the fuel tank always gravity-feeds the carburettor no matter what angle the saw is cutting. A decal denotes it as a Farmcrest. The identification tag information is as follows: ‘Clinton Chain Saw Division, The Clinton Machine Co., Clinton, Mich., Model no. 3855, serial no. 52632, Type 5-8-11-2_9-8.’ The carburettor has ‘Clinton’ cast into it.
I would like as much historical information as possible about this saw: What years they were manufactured, who sold them, if sold under another brand name, how many were made and horsepower rating. Any information is welcome, and thanks for letting me share this saw with the readers. – Joe Scott 25209 45th Place S. Kent, WA 98032 e-mail: tractormanwa@aol.com
Mystery press revisited, again
I was reading in the Farm Collector March and June 2004 issues on the ‘Letters to the Editor’ page about the W.M. Sharp mystery press.
Enclosed is a picture of one I have that is similar to the one mentioned. The top of the screw-down has ‘R 4843’ stamped on it. The brass nameplate on mine reads, ‘Patented and Manufactured by W.M. Sharp Co., Binghamton, New York USA.’
Underneath the second level, it is stamped with the numbers, ‘4843-3-1-15.’ It has 15 holes in the back and two in the front.
I really enjoy the Farm Collector magazine. – Norman S. Perttunen 31502 Schoenherr #B5 Warren, Ml 48088
Digging for information
This old potato digger is missing the pull pole and wooden handles. On the top of the cover of the gear box in raised letters it reads: ‘Mattice & Keelers, Potato Digger, Patent D, Oct. 6, 1885; Sept. 14, 1886; Boss, Corning, N.Y.’ Any information from readers would be appreciated. – Robert E. Hartman 5821 Buffham Road Seville, OH 44273
Sowing the seeds
I’m wondering how this was used. Is this a complete item? It must attach to some kind of wagon. The lettering on the item reads, ‘Seed Sower, Wier Plow Co.’ – Benjamin Pokorny 2140 G Aye. Road Wahoo, NE 68066-4061
Follow-up
Farm Collector occasionally prints answers to readers’ questions when information is available from knowledgeable sources.
Letter from the August 2004 issue of Farm Collector:
After seeing the pictures and reading the article on the John Deere Dain tractor in the June 2004 edition, it immediately reminded me of a very similar tractor I saw at Oscar’s Dreamland west of Billings, Mont.
This was in the spring of 1998, the first day of their three-day estate sale. Although I may have forgotten some of the details, everything I do remember about the tractor was the same as I now see in the article.
Does anyone know what may have happened to the one at Oscar’s? There may be a second tractor out there somewhere. Any information will be helpful. – Herman Vander Vos 25971 Norris Road Bozeman, MT 59718
Answers:
As per Herman Vander Vos’ letter in the August 2004 Farm Collector magazine, I can shed some light on the John Deere Dain tractor. The John Deere Dain tractor you saw a picture of in the June 2004 issue of the Farm Collector magazine and the John Deere Dain you saw at Oscar’s Dreamland are the same tractor.
Frank Hanson of Minnesota owned the tractor and was a close friend of mine. Hanson was invited by Oscar’s to bring the tractor out because Hansen had the tractor for sale at the time.
Hansen wanted me to drive the truck and take the tractor to Oscar’s sale, but my schedule would not permit it. I am one of the very few people to ever drive the tractor after Hansen restored it. Another John Deere Dain tractor exists with an antique tractor club in Illinois, but it is not as complete as the Hansen tractor – no. 79.
After Hansen passed away, the estate put the tractor up for sale. They listed it on eBay, the online auction, as a method of trying to sell the tractor. Eventually, John Deere and the Hansen estate were able to consummate a sale. The tractor is now in the John Deere Commons at Moline, III. I have many pictures and many articles Hansen gave me regarding the history of the tractor.
I hope this helps. If you would like more information, please feel free to contact me. – Don Davis 14673 Route 93 S. Logan, OH 43138 (740) 385-5582 e-mail: dondavis@ohiohills. com
Leads running cold on chilled plow
We are requesting information on the chilled plow in the pictures. We would like to know the value, rarity, how many were made, or if other companies have made them, as well.
The plow has the following name and dates on it: ‘Syracuse Chilled Plow Co., Syracuse, N.Y. USA, 6-L, Patented Dec. 4, 1877; Sept. and Oct. 7, 1870; Aug. 31, 1880.’
Thank you in advance for any information readers can supply. – Clarence Rummell 3474 Rummell Ave. Paris, OH 44669 e-mail: glendaoh@mail. cannet. com
Shelling information for the grandkids
I am looking for illustrations as to how my Fulton Model P hand corn sheller is supposed to mount. I used this as a young boy on the farm and just don’t remember how it was set up, except it was on/over a box.
I am putting together a display of the farm implements I used (for the grandkids), and would like to mount the sheller. I also have a hand grinding stone we used, and I would like illustrations as to how to build a stand for it. The grindstone has a handle attached in the middle. Any help would be appreciated. Thank you. – Ron Parker St. George, Utah e-mail: ronandtoddy@charter.net
Editor’s note: See the three-part article in the April 2002 John Deere TRADITION, ‘Perfecting a Process,’ about the Syracuse Chilled Plow Co.
