Here's the last of our coverage of Northwestern Products set of wagons, the Concord Stagecoach. Stagecoaches actually originated in England hundreds of years ago as a means of transporting people and some cargo in regular schedules between stations, or stages. The use of stagecoaches spread throughout Europe but declined in steady use with the advent of the railroad. Throughout the years both in Europe and here Stateside, there were many coach designs, but of all the wagons associated with the Old West, the Concord style Stagecoach is my favorite. The bright red painted body with yellow wheels and gold lettering, and the styling is just something that really strikes a chord in me. Of course, the overwhelming use of this style of stagecoach in the Western television shows I grew up with as a kid probably has something to do with that as well. But it turns out my favorite wasn't originally a product of the Old West! The Concord, was first produced in 1827 by the Abbot Downing Company of New Hampshire. Although they made over 40 styles of wagons, the Concord would be their most famous and they were even shipped to South America, Australia, and Africa! The toy pictured here measures 11" (27.9cm) L x 4 1/2" (11.4cm) H x 4" (10.2cm) W and is missing the driver and has broken wheels. The horses are actually broken off and were simply propped up on the yoke to get the pictures. In real life this wagon would probably have been pulled by four or six horses, but all of Northwestern products wagons only have two. Enjoy! Opa Fritz and Oma Bettina
Courtesy Wikipedia
An original Concord Stagecoach on display at the Wells Fargo History Museum in Old Town San Diego State Historic Park.
Here's all three wagons posed together
For size comparisons, the Northwestern wagons sit alongside MPC plastic wagons
