Period hearse

[CSA Today]

 

[Rebforever]

View attachment 39838

I sure would like to get a closer look at the back brakes on that thing.
There is a parking brake shown on the far side.

See some parts but would just wonder how they worked.
http://texaswagonworks.com/catologue/cat_holdback_irons.shtml

 

[Patrick H]

A local funeral director (a friend of mine, but of my father's generation) once owned a hearse just like this. It was beautifully restored and kept in top condition at all times. He occasionally hitched it up and drove it in parades, while wearing period-correct clothing, of course. His hearse was such a curiosity when it was shipped to him that the moving company used it as the subject of one of their national ads. There can't be all that many of them left, and they change hands from time to time. For all I know, this is the very hearse that I remember from my teenage years.

 

[CSA Today]

I sure would like to get a closer look at the back brakes on that thing.
There is a parking brake shown on the far side.

See some parts but would just wonder how they worked.
http://texaswagonworks.com/catologue/cat_holdback_irons.shtml

A funeral director in my county has a hearse very similar to the one shown. About 12 years ago, my SCV camp along with the camp in neighboring Robeson County move the remains of a Confederate veteran from there (Robeson) to my county (Scotland) and re buried him alongside of his wife and daughter. The funeral director offered to let us use the hearse, but we declined out of concerns the firing of salutes would cause the horse to bolt and wreck the hearse. We use a one horse wagon drawn by a mule instead.
I looked at the hearse closely but don't remember the details about the brakes.

 

[Rebforever]

I see how it works now. It is in park now and when it is removed from park the connecting rod moves the brake back
over the right side tire. All done by the use of the handle in the rear. Neat.

 

[donna]

I have seen hearses like this at some museums. They always were very fancy. I guess the folks wanted their relation to go out in style.

 

[M E Wolf]

Nice hearse...

It is a 'cut under' which means it could turn in tighter circles without tipping over. The whip socket is on the right side of the hearse, it is intricate work on the right side below the seat. In driving horse drawn vehicles the 'human driver' is on the right side, the assistant or 'groom' sits to the driver's left.

The roof is curved and those black box like notations on the roof, is for finials that would keep the flower bouquet frequently on top and covering the casket if there was no room in the hearse's body. Excess flowers, bouquets would ride on the roof. (Sort of like a roof rack) If it was sparse, rods with crape would box out the roof line. The carriage lamps (the headlights for the day) seem wrong for the design and proportions of the hearse to me...They should match the ornate whip socket as far as luxurious appointments...more delicate.

Still, its always a pleasure to see old horse drawn vehicles.

M. E. Wolf

 

[Pvt.Shattuck]

These were once a common sight on the streets, perhaps daily in the mid-nineteenth century.

True Grit
Undertaker: Is that the man?
Mattie Ross: That is my father.
Undertaker: If you would like to kiss him it would be all right.
Yarnell: He has gone home. Praise the lord.
Mattie Ross: Why is it so much?
Undertaker: The quality of the casket and of the embalming. The life like appearance requires time and art. And the chemicals come dear. The particulars are in your bill. If you'd like to kiss him it would be all right.
Mattie Ross: Thank you. The spirit has flown