A practical treatise on coach-building historical and descriptive

by James W. Burgess

Spring-stays.

On the beds are placed

Blocks, to support the

C springs; to which are attached

Jacks, or small windlasses, and

Leathern suspension braces.

These parts fitted together would form what is generally known as a coach, or a vehicle, the body of which is large, and suspended by leathern braces from the ends of C springs. They enter into the formation of all vehicles more or less, but for the other kinds some part or parts are omitted, as in a brougham hung on elliptic springs, the C springs, perch, leather braces, &c., would be omitted, and, of course, elliptic springs and a pump-handle would be added. All the woodwork is lightened as much as possible by the introduction of beading, carving, chamfering, &c.

In starting the carriage part the workman first takes the perch and planes a flat side to it, and then works it taper from front to back. The top and bottom curves are then worked up, or at least some portion of them, and then the front and hind spring beds are framed on. A pair of spreading wings are then fitted to the sides of the perch; these are simply circular iron stays, swelled and moulded to take off their plainness. A pair is fitted at each end of the perch. The hind axletree bed is then scarfed upon the top of the perch and wings, and is connected with the hind spring bed by two small framing pieces called nunters. At the front end of the perch a cross bed called a horn-bar is scarfed on the perch, at the same distance from the fore spring bed as the hind axle bed is from the hind spring bed, viz. the length of the bearing of the spring, or about 15 inches. The horn-bar is connected with the fore spring bed by the two spring blocks, which are either framed into them or scarfed down on them, and also by the hooping-piece, which is scarfed on the top of the perch. The perch is then planed up to the curve it is to have when finished, and it is then taken to the smith, who fits and rivets on the side plates, which have ears at the ends for the purpose of bolting them to the beds. The carver then does his work by beading the perch and beds, having due regard to the finish of the parts, rounds and curves all the ends. On the under side of the perch is riveted an iron plate, and on this plate is an iron hook for hanging the drag shoe and chain (if such be used). The hind framing is now put together, all connections being by means of mortises and tenons secured by screw-bolts. The wings used to be, and sometimes still are, of wood, in which case they are hooped to the perch by iron hoops, and are rebated to receive the perch plates. The hooping-piece is then hooped in a similar way to the fore end of the perch, and the transom firmly bolted. The carriage is then turned bottom upwards, and the smith fits to the fore part the wheel plate or turning iron, across which runs a broad plate the width and length of the fore spring bed. A similar plate runs across the hind spring bed. The hind axle is then fitted to the wings and perch, and let into its bed at the ends, where screw clips secure it, the bolts passing through the perch.

The carriage is then turned up into its old position; the wheel-plate is cased on the top with carved wood, and a plate is riveted to the side of the horn-bar. The springs are now fitted to their blocks and bolted firmly down. Iron stays are bolted to the springs beneath the beds to render them still firmer. The footman’s step, and the steps for the coachman to mount to his box by, and other ironwork that may be required in the shape of stays, &c., are then fixed in their place.

The under portion of the fore carriage is framed to the fore axletree bed, which is a very stout piece of timber. Through this are framed the two futchells which receive the pole. The upper part of the axletree bed is covered with a strong plate to match the wheel-plate. A circular piece of timber, called a sway-bar, is bolted behind the axletree bed, and this is also plated beneath for security. In front is a smaller piece of the same kind, and they both serve for the circumference of the wheel to rest on. The splinter-bar is bolted on to the fore end of the futchells and secured by branching stays, one at either end connecting it with the axletree bed. As an additional security, iron stays are fitted to the bottoms of the futchells passing over the axle, which, in addition to bolts, is secured by screw clips at the ends, the same as the hind one.