Cel Posted August 27, 2011 Share Posted August 27, 2011 This cart was delivered yesterday. The nametag reads: ARMEE BELGE VEHICULE TYPE B.3 ARRIERE TRAIN N°25 ARSENAL DE CONSTRUCTION It is almost in original condition with a lot of the original paint still there. The booms for horse traction have been replaced by a drawbar, as it has been used by a threshermen in France. Can anyone confirm whether it is WW1? Thanks for any comments. Marcel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Willyslancs Posted August 27, 2011 Share Posted August 27, 2011 not sure about the cart mate , but should the lettering on the plate not be more crisp? looks like a cheap copy ........ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gordon_M Posted August 28, 2011 Share Posted August 28, 2011 That's good, I was just thinking that if that plate had been a cheap copy it would probably be a lot crisper and tidier than that .... Typically these plates would be be cast brass, in quantity, and just a stamp or two - exactly what I see there. No idea of the date though, it's quite possible it is as late as WW2 maybe? In particular I wouldn't expect the wood, particularly the wheels, to be as good as it is, if it was a hundred years old rather than a mere seventy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cel Posted August 29, 2011 Author Share Posted August 29, 2011 It might indeed be later than WW1 and even WW2, but I am sure that it is original. The condition of the wood does not say a lot to me when speaking of age. I have a horse powered threshing machine that is 100+ years old in original and condition, the wood is even better than this cart. Sure hope to find out more about it! Thanks, Marcel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ruxy Posted August 29, 2011 Share Posted August 29, 2011 To me it looks about right , right for a sand cast , resin sand cast at best. It looks aluminium on my screen, and as if somebody has put a small wire brush in a drill chuck to remove the paint and overdone it - probably not a good idea to clean up.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BosunAl Posted August 30, 2011 Share Posted August 30, 2011 Interesting vehicle! Can you share the dimensions with us? Bosun Al Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cel Posted August 30, 2011 Author Share Posted August 30, 2011 Wheel diameter 1,3m Case L x W x H = 2,7 x 1,2 x 1,1m Marcel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony B Posted August 30, 2011 Share Posted August 30, 2011 Is it sprung? Looks very like the original L'Ambulance wagon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
earlymb Posted August 30, 2011 Share Posted August 30, 2011 I think it would be best to ask the Royal Armymuseum in Brussels, they might have some info in their library. Greetz David Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
79x100 Posted September 1, 2011 Share Posted September 1, 2011 Cel, you probably know better than me but wasn't Belgian kit marked in two languages by WW2 ? When did they introduce the ABBL marking ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cel Posted September 1, 2011 Author Share Posted September 1, 2011 Tony: yes it is sprung, leaf spring under the axle. David: I wrote a letter to the army museum a few months ago but haven't received a reply yet. Maybe now I have it home I can try it again with better pictures. 79x100: I have no idea but will ask my uncle who was in the army for over 30 years. If I find out more I'll keep you all updated! Regards Marcel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cel Posted January 16, 2015 Author Share Posted January 16, 2015 Well thanks to this forum the cart mistery is solved! I was contacted about the Peugeot by a gentlemen here in Belgium a few days ago and thought I'd send him a picture of the cart. He replied almost immediately! The cart was used to transport the tools of the gunsmiths and blacksmiths, and was produced between 1907 and 1916. So far it is the only one known, in fact it was believed that none had survived. The 'bad' news is that it is not complete, the pictures show why. I am now looking for a set of wheels so we can reproduce the dolly (or whatever it is called). Another project on the list! Regards Marcel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
79x100 Posted January 16, 2015 Share Posted January 16, 2015 A great find after three years ! With hindsight, there was a clue in the marking "Arriere Train" but it wasn't so obvious at the time... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charawacky Posted January 16, 2015 Share Posted January 16, 2015 Amazing what turns up, it feels like one of everything survives, but this idea is probably far from the truth! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian L Posted January 17, 2015 Share Posted January 17, 2015 Amazing what turns up, it feels like one of everything survives, but this idea is probably far from the truth! If only that were the case, I can think of several WW2 & post war British aircraft that no longer exist, this cart is truly a great find. well done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony B Posted January 17, 2015 Share Posted January 17, 2015 Probably one of those things that was 'To useful' sold to civillians and worked to death. What a great find. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
79x100 Posted January 17, 2015 Share Posted January 17, 2015 Is the 'Avant train' the same as a standard WW1 Belgian limber type and if so, do any survive perhaps alongside a gun ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cel Posted January 17, 2015 Author Share Posted January 17, 2015 That will be interesting to find out. I was wondering whether the N° 25 is the serial number, if so I guess it would be an early one? Marcel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Citroman Posted November 26, 2015 Share Posted November 26, 2015 you could also motorise it with a Latil avant-train. French army had some of those converted horse carts too. :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max Posted November 27, 2015 Share Posted November 27, 2015 you could also motorise it with a Latil avant-train. French army had some of those converted horse carts too. :-) Prachtig stuk, succes met uw project . Jean-Pierre Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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