The Unfinished Sleighs

Kimball Cutter - A

The Kimball Cutter was the first sleigh of the 'cutter' style to be built. Starting in 1839. Peter Kimball of Maine built them. The sleigh was attractive, plain in design with a straight back and curved front (dasher), compact, light weight, practical, popular and inexpensive. It would accommodate two passengers and was easily pulled by a single horse. This sleigh became the prototype for all future cutter designs. The cutter style of sleigh has the distinction of being the most popular sleigh style in the United States.

Portland Cutter - B

The Portland Cutter, originally built in Portland, Maine, was adapted from the Kimball Cutter. It featured a more modern design that included a curved back for greater comfort and a more pronounced curve in the front (dasher). The sleigh box was usually larger than the Kimball and provided more leg room. As with the Kimball, it became a popular design.

Canandaigua Cutter - C

This unique sleigh was found in upstate New York (Canandaigua) and is believed to have been built in the mid 1800's. The actual builder is unknown. This sleigh features a curved back and a winged dasher. The winged dasher shielded the driver from snow and cold. The brass rod found on the sleigh helps to strengthen the runner system which took a beating from bumpy rutted roads. The runners have one curve which attaches to the center of the dasher. This sleigh would accommodate two passengers and was pulled by a single horse.



Gentleman's Cutter - D

This sleigh was built for gentlemen to race. It was designed for speed and was very light in weight. The sleigh box which was high off the ground featured an 'S' shaped back and a very distinct curved dasher. The height of the sleigh box tended to make the sleigh top heavy and made driving a challenge. The lines of the sleigh demonstrated an aerodynamic style. The severe curve of the dasher kept snow and dirt kicked up by the horse from splattering the driver. This sleigh was built by S. R. Bailey from Amesbury, Massachusetts.

Doll Sleigh  - E

This sleigh is a cutter design that is suitable for large dolls or stuffed animals. The runners are oak and the box pine. A removable seat allows for complete utilization of the sleigh box. Many people use these as a focal point of room decoration. The box is painted and the runners and seat stained with a clear finish. These sleigh are to be used for decorative purposes only.

Lunch Wagon - F

This unique piece is a scaled repoduction of a lunch wagon used on the streets of New York City. The wagon could be easily moved to different locations in the city. The driver was inside the wagon and controlled the horses through a window. There were windows completely around the wagon affording patrons a view to the outside.  It resembled the diner of today on wheels.  It was commonly pulled by two horses.  This wagon has free rolling wooden wheels and the front two wheels pivot.  The top is removable.  The vehicle is constructed from Northern White Pine . Size - 15" long, 6" wide, 9 1/2" high including wheels.

Hay Wagon - G

The horse drawn Hay Wagon was an essential piece of equipment on farms throughout the early years of our history. It was the workhorse vehicle on the farm as it was adapted to perform many tasks. In many cases, the wagon bodies could be interchanged making the vehicle very versatile. A hay wagon was available in many styles and shapes depending on the manufacturer. Some had straight sides, others tapered ones. Built up sides were also popular where planks could be added to the existing box to increase load capacity.
    A notable company who manufactured a wide variety of work vehicles, including this one, was the Studebaker Bros. Manufacturing Co. of Indiana. When the carriage era drew to a close with the invention of the automobile, the Studebaker Co. got on the technology bandwagon and produced cars and trucks for many years.
   This hay wagon would have been used to transport hay and other grains over the road. With the high box, the driver could mount the seat by stepping on a wheel spoke to reach the ladder rungs affixed to the body. A team of work horses would be harnessed to the wagon to supply the power. In some cases, two teams were utilized. To handle these teams the driver had to have driving experience.
   As the carriage era drew to a close in the early 1900's, many wooden wheel vehicles collected dust in barns or left to the elements to rot away. The hay wagon did not fall into this category. Wooden wheels were replaced with rubber ones and the wagon tongue was converted into a tow bar to be pulled by a truck or tractor. Fortunately, thanks to private collectors and museums, some of the original hay wagons have been preserved so we can all enjoy viewing these pieces of American Farm History.


Child's Sled - G

- Unique design taken from an actual antique child's sled
- Size-overall length is 27", top deimension 26", width 9" (tapered to     in front), height 4.75"
- Material: white pine
- Front runners pivot
- Display: On a door or wall with a bracket or leaned against a wall
- Painting surface: solid top sanded 4 times for a glass-like surface
- Hanging bracket included

Price: $80.00 plus shipping by area code

Birdhouse - I

- Size-length 7.5" long, width 5.5", height 8.675"
- Material: 0.5" white pine
- Engineered design-predator guard, cleaned-out decor, side vents      and floor drains
- Mounting; branch, post or fence
- Finish-sanded 4 times for a glass-like painting finish

Price: $20.00 plus shipping by area code

Birdhouse decorative artwork by Debbie Cotton: www.simply-cotton.com

To Order Unfinished items, email : 38rfallen@dishmail.net

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