Model Trailways Medicine Wagon 1:12 Scale
Model Trailways Medicine Wagon 1:12 Scale
Design and Instructions by Ken Foran
Specifications:
Length: 13"
Height: 9"
Width: 6"
Contents
- Laser-Cut Basswood and Plywood
- Britannia Metal Parts and Brass Fittings
- Precision Machined Aluminun Wheel Hubs
- 6 Full Size Plans Sheets
- 52-Page Fully Illustrated Instructions Manual
History
During the late 19th and very early 20th centuries, horse-drawn medicine/whiskey wagons were familiar sights in many frontier towns. “Patent Medicine” became popular to cure a variety of aches, pains and diseases being sold by travelling salespeople as well as various brands of “Medicinal Whiskies”. Some of the “Medicines” had very colorful names and very audacious claims. Liniments and ointments were often concocted with some form of snake oil based upon Chinese ointments of the time that were known to be effective. Unfortunately, the American rattlesnake’s oil did not have the same potency of that of the Chinese water snake. Hence the rise of the term “Snake Oil Salesman”. The charlatans peddled their wares throughout the small towns of the west in their sometimes very colorful Medicine Wagons. Water barrels hung on the sides for both man and beast, while the Medicines and Whiskey occupied the shelves inside.
