Hansen Wheel & Wagon Shop is proud to

offer a Replica of the Famed Concord Harness

 

Through original documents and studying actual historic horse harness of the 1800's, and driving stagecoaches with this harness we feel we have recreated one of the most accurate and historic stagecoach harnesses.

We have researched various historic leather horse harness to bring to you a harness that is appropriate to the era and application you are involved in.

Our Concord harness has been extensively researched and tested to best recreate the harnesses that were used in the stagecoaching era. Below is more information on their specifications along with photos.

4-Up Concord Harness(Includes Lines) - $5,800 - Buy Now

 

Wheel Harness Pair - $3,150 - Buy Now

Lead Harness Pair - $2,850 - Buy Now

Fits Quarter/Crossbred Horses

Draft Sizes Available at Additional Charge

            

 

 

 

 

Square blind, split face bridle.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Box-loop up tugs on the folded breeching. Note signature historic stamped pattern on box loops.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Soft folded back pad, with a single back strap and round leather guide. Note: back pads have orientation spots, 1 vs 3, to identify “near” and “off” horse.

 

 

 

 

 

Concord toggle, the trace toggle connection provides a secure connection to the singletree ring eye ensuring they would not come loose even in the most demanding situations.

 

 

 

 

 

The  traces of the Concord harness have a single ply butt making the  trace soft and supple near the hock, the buckle end is  double-end-stitched 1 ½’ wide and increases into the 2” wide at the butt end. Note; the width of the  trace narrows progressively from wheel to swing to lead.

 

 

 

Illustrations and following text are from James R. Hill & Co.'s 1879 Catalogue

Check out an article on the original specifications from The Butterfield Express courtesy of Wells Fargo.

"CONCORD" STAGE HARNESS

These are the celebrated world-renowned Harness, that have become so famous, and are known and used wherever the English language is spoken or American enterprise has gained a foothold. They are made from leather tanned and prepared expressly for them. The furniture, such as bits, trace buckles, breeching, rings, and toggles, are made from the best wrought iron; the hames are made from the best selected ash timber (in which New Hampshire abounds), and are bound with wrought iron. No expense is spared to make these Harness safe, reliable, and perfect of their kind; and we believe the universal testimony is that they are such.

Description of No. 701X Four Horse Concord Stage Harness

(Lead)

BRIDLE-1½" crown piece, single leather, with layer by pattern; round winker brace; narrow loop cheeks with fine patent leather stage blinds; harness leather front, spotted; 7/8" check rein with 7/8" billets; 1" spotted face piece; fine nickel stiff ring bits; hand stitched 7 and 8.

MARTINGALES-On lead horses only. 1" hard body spotted; 5/8" billet; hand stitched 7.

REINS-Black; 7/8" throughout; usually 26' in length; hand stitched 7 and 8.

HAMES-Regularly, No. 6 Concord, high top stage; close plate, nickel or silver; strap end; staple and triangle; swing terret; black.

HAME TUG-1 7/8" double double and stitched with heavy box loops; hand stitched 7.

TRACES-2 1/8" wide, single leather except where buckled into hame tugs with Concord toggles in end; hand stitched 7.

GIRTHS-1 ¼" hard, with billets; hand stitched 7.

PADS-1 ½" stuffed; 1 ¼" pad ends and buckle pieces; flat layer, spotted; hand stitched 5 and 8; no back strap or trace bearer furnished with the harness unless specified

(Wheel)

BRIDLE-1 ½" crown piece, single leather, with layer by pattern with terret for lead reins on crown piece; round winker brace; narrow loop cheeks with fine patent leather stage blinds; 7/8" check rein with 7/8" billets; harness leather fronts, spotted; 1" spotted face piece with rein ring at line of front for lead reins to run through; fine nickel stiff ring bits; hand stitched 7 and 8.

MARTINGALES-Not regularly furnished on wheel harness.

REINS-Black; 7/8" throughout 16' long; hand stitched 7 and 8.

HAMES-Regularly, No. 6 Concord, high top stage; close plate, nickel or silver; strap ends; staple and triangle; swing terret; black.

HAME TUG-2" double and stitched, with heavy box loops; hand stitched 7.

TRACES-2 ¼" single leather except where buckled into hame tug, with Concord toggles in ends; hand stitched 7.

GIRTHS-1 ¼" hard, with billets; hand stitched 7.

BREAST STRAPS-1 ¾" made like side strap, with three narrow loops; hand stitched 6; furnished with wheel harness only unless otherwise specified.

PADS-1 ½" stuffed; 1 ¼" pad ends and buckle pieces; rounded lop layer to let back strap through; layers spotted.

BREECHING-With wheel harness only unless otherwise specified; 1" single leather back straps; rump piece by pattern; 2 on a side, 7/8" hip straps with narrow loops; folded breeching body with scalloped layer; 1 ½" side straps sewed into breeching rings; hand stitched 8.