Collection of Essays on Horse-Drawn Carriages and Carriage Parts by Dr. Gordon S. Cantle

Dr. Gordon S. Cantle, MSc. Tech., MIMechE., The Carriage Museum of America, Inc., 1993. 81 pages. Illustrated with line drawings and diagrams. Covered in coated paper.

This compilation of the innumerable essays and articles written by Dr. Gordon S. Cantle is one of the first publications produced by the CMA. These essays have appeared over the years in various magazines, starting with Heavy Horses and Driving, The Carriage Journal, International Horse and Horse & Driving, among others.

Long recognized by carriage enthusiasts for his expertise and thoroughness, Dr. Cantle had found an outlet for his many talents in studying and writing about the technicalities involved in coach building and carriage-making. Some modern carriage builders have found in those articles a solution to many problems as well as explanations, which provided a deeper understanding of the principles and practices upon which the carriage industry relied for integrity.

This booklet is divided into four sections, the first of which is “Carriage Design & Construction”. Fourteen articles deal with “side-sweep and turn-under,” Fuller’s fulcrum, and edge plates, with cab-fronted two-wheelers, Cockshoot’s Driving Carts, Thrupp’s Moray Car, and Thomas Fuller’s Patent of 1823. It leads off with “The Coach Maker’s Cant Board.

Section 2 deals with “Wheels & Wheel Making,” and in it one will encounter an explanation of dishing and staggering, and discussions of the fundamental principles for fitting tires, solid rubber tires, and wedge wheels.

Section 3, “Springs & Axles,” presents “gig suspension, axle flaps and curvature”. Here is Dr. Cantle’s memorable article “Steel Spring Suspension,” as well as discussions on “antivibration devices,” Burt’s C-spring, end fastenings and Lock’s patent shackle.

The final part deals with “Carriage Parts,” and discusses such things as body loops, pump handles, lever lifts and shaft harness fittings, retractable carriage steps and step treads, and automatic tops.

All of Dr. Cantle’s remarkable articles have been gathered together here, in one place, and arranged under convenient categories to make a handy reference for carriage restorer and carriage maker alike.

81 pages.
Softcover
Illustrated with line drawings and diagrams.