Best of Antique Barbed Wire

By John Mantz
Published on December 8, 2010
article image
The Magnificent Seven

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.

Hodge’s “Spur Rowel,” patented in 1887 by Chester A. Hodge, Beloit, Wis., was the most popular wire (Fig. 1). Although valued at $3 at the time of the poll, perhaps this wire – more than any other – personified the “Old West.” It consists of a wheel with eight or 10 points, mounted on an axle between two line wires. It looks like the spur rowel used on western cowboy spurs. This wire, now in the “scarce” category, has a value of at least $5.

Second place went to Reynold’s Necktie, patented in 1878 by Hiram Reynolds, Marshalltown, Iowa. This unique wire (Fig. 2) features a two-piece barb on a single line wire. The wire looks like a tied necktie, hence the nickname. However, this beauty is only valued at $2.

In third place is Allis’s “Saw tooth,” 1881, valued at $1.50 to $2 (Fig. 3).

The fourth place wire, Cline’s “Rail,” has three parallel lines joined by the barb. It is valued at about $5 (Fig. 4).

Placing fifth was Stubbe’s “Plate,” an 1883 patent (Fig. 5). This is an example of an “obvious” (easily seen) wire. Stubble produced both the large plate and a smaller version, which are valued at $5 and $8 respectively. Both have more than doubled in price over the past five years, and are on the “scarce” list due to their extensive use in plaques.

Online Store Logo
Need Help? Call 1-866-624-9388