Discovered in France

[PlaceOfBayonets]

I'd say over pried for all the work that lot is going to create. Probably have to scrap one to restore two. If you let them stay in their current state they will just continue to degrade. IN the end they will need new paint.

Do you think those are german field hosen in the photos? They had to be stuffed into one of the compartments to have turned out so well.

W.

[ww1czechlegion]

Yes, and I'd say that they are well worth every penny of $17,000. I honestly think it was a bargain.

Exceptionally rare, indeed a "find-of-a-lifetime"!

The paint is not the problem with the wagons, it is the rusting iron that needs to be dealt with and addressed competently.

My opinion, for whatever it is worth is this: that whoever bought these will most likely be able to keep one, and sell each of the other two seperately, as individual wagons, for probably almost as much as what they paid for the entire lot at 17K. It wouldn't suprise me in the least if one would bring 8K to 12K to maybe as much as 14/15K for a single wagon. And that much each, even in their present state I would guesstimate.

I've heard some interesting stories of not only the unusual German items but also the quantities of Imperial items that have turned up in that region of France, and it doesn't suprise me that these were stored away in an old barn for all these years. I heard several "village & barn find" stories from a friend at the recent S.O.S. It was almost unbelievable. That region must be a real "treasure-trove" of hidden items in attics and barns in all the little sleepy villages and throughout the countryside at old farms.

When I was growing up, we had a farm neighbor who collected horse drawn vehicles. Suprisingly he had an American ambulance wagon that he'd restored. I'll always remember seeing that piece years ago. It wasn't anywhere as neat as these German ones are.

All the Best,

Alan Schaefer

[Chip M]

A shovel apiece for me and Chip

Eric,

I would take another one, but I would need another carrier then too!

Chip

[jerryrehr]

Fantastic find. Hope they go to a good home.
But for that money they will. Thanks for the info.

Jerry.

[C. Roelens]

17 Big ones
Seller sold as a lot. I think there,s three of them but no wheels.
Yes, I was going to ask if any of you guy,s had a boat so we could all go over and pick the stuff up!!
A shovel apiece for me and Chip, breeches and boots for William, maybe real trench bags for Gran (sorry Gran ) and a helmet for Chuck.
How about it Chuck, you must have a two hundred foot ocean going yacht.

Eric

Eric,

The only thing I put on a boat was a WWII Harley Davidson WLA. I pulled it out of the Philippines in the mid-70's.

What a "FANTASTIC", and, "HISTORICAL" find. Thanks for posting this thread.

Chuck

[C. Roelens]

Yes, and I'd say that they are well worth every penny of $17,000. I honestly think it was a bargain.

Exceptionally rare, indeed a "find-of-a-lifetime"!

The paint is not the problem with the wagons, it is the rusting iron that needs to be dealt with and addressed competently.

My opinion, for whatever it is worth is this: that whoever bought these will most likely be able to keep one, and sell each of the other two seperately, as individual wagons, for probably almost as much as what they paid for the entire lot at 17K. It wouldn't suprise me in the least if one would bring 8K to 12K to maybe as much as 14/15K for a single wagon. And that much each, even in their present state I would guesstimate.

I've heard some interesting stories of not only the unusual German items but also the quantities of Imperial items that have turned up in that region of France, and it doesn't suprise me that these were stored away in an old barn for all these years. I heard several "village & barn find" stories from a friend at the recent S.O.S. It was almost unbelievable. That region must be a real "treasure-trove" of hidden items in attics and barns in all the little sleepy villages and throughout the countryside at old farms.

When I was growing up, we had a farm neighbor who collected horse drawn vehicles. Suprisingly he had an American ambulance wagon that he'd restored. I'll always remember seeing that piece years ago. It wasn't anywhere as neat as these German ones are.

All the Best,

Alan Schaefer

I agree Alan... somebody got a very good deal.

Chuck

[C. Roelens]

I'd say over pried for all the work that lot is going to create. Probably have to scrap one to restore two. If you let them stay in their current state they will just continue to degrade. IN the end they will need new paint.

Do you think those are german field hosen in the photos? They had to be stuffed into one of the compartments to have turned out so well.

W.

W. ... None of this is scrap!

Chuck

[Steve Sherlock]

That's one of the more spectacular finds I've seen, given that it's from the First World War -- close to a century old. The condition is unbelieveable, and with the proper care, they will be around for a long time, and they will be fairly easy to restore for one who knows wagons. What really turns me on about them is the original paint which looks in great condition. Not many WWI pieces like those around anymore. Of course, with the gear that was found with them is just sweet icing on the cake. As was said above, like walking into a time warp. I wonder if the WWI picture is of those same wagons.

Finds like this are still made of WWII vehicles and equipment, made of metal of course, but of very large wooden items from WWI? Most rare!!

Thanks for showing!!

Steve

[PlaceOfBayonets]

W. ... None of this is scrap!

Chuck

Just saying I don't assume they are as good as they look. Might have termite damge or some struts busted.

Best way to deal with it might be to set it up in a fake barn inside a building. Clean up the dirt a bit remove the spider webs Etc and leave it as is in a similar fashon as found.

W.

[Jean-Loup]

Incredible find, particularly the personal items just lying around. It makes it look like the Germans left yesterday!

I hope the buyer treats these well and doesnt "restore" them by replacing all the original parts and paint.

[SLIM]

unbelievable to imagine this lot stayed like that untouched for all these years ! that is a miracle in itself folks and i hope the new owner does not give them a new coat of paint at all ...but rather preserve the paint and markings the way they were found !

[Mac 66]

Eric, i love to see this fantastic stuff being found, just goes to show theres still to this day mega finds to be discovered from WW1 & WW2 over in europe. thanks for posting this mate.

Cheers Scott.

[PlaceOfBayonets]

Esd it all really totally un touched? Someone removed the wagon's wheels. Was it the Germans or more likey a farmer who needed them to keep his farm wagons running?

W.

[Federico Perez]

Just amazing!!!

I really hope that these are keep as they where found and not fully rebuild,repainted or over restored, as fellow members have said, some things should be take care of as is the rust and posibly bugs damage, but to have these wagons exactly as they where used during the period and with the time patina...is priceless.

It reminds me of the LRDG chevy truck displayed as it was found in the desert many years after the war at the Imperial War Museum in UK, these items in their original configuration and state are in my very personal opinion a more interesting and direct link to past history than a fully restored piece.....I am in no way against restoring/preserving by restoring, doing it right have secure a lot of armor/ships/planes and other artifacts that other wise would have been lost because of lack of interest/historical value to some sectors of the historical community....but some times is better to stabilized/preserve and admire the "pass tru history and time" in certain pieces, and this are among them....again in my very humble and personal opinion.

[busterz111]

I am sure they are Much better than they look.Closed Barns do tend to keep things in OK shape.If the Barns not eaten away then these should be termite free.