Salesman's Sample Road Grader, ca. 1905

Appraised on: June 14, 1997

Appraised in: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Appraised by: Noel Barrett

Category: Collectibles

Episode Info: Pittsburgh (#1627)

Originally Aired: July 23, 2012

IMAGE: 1 of 5  

Appraisal Video: (1:55)

GUEST: My father was in the construction business and collected antique toys and construction equipment, so he happened into this at a show at least 20, probably 25 years ago and brought it home along with another harrow which he has since sold. I immediately loved it and sort of stole it from him.

APPRAISER: So now it's yours. It's really quite a treasure. Obviously, it's a road grader and it's an amazingly accurate and detailed model. It was probably made as a salesman's sample, something that the manufacturer could send with the, uh, salesman on the road and show the people exactly how this heavy piece of equipment worked. I mean, it is truly extraordinary. The detail of the mechanism, you know, with the... these wheels which rotate the blade... Cast aluminum, brass, even got wood planking here. You're aware of all the features here. The ratchet bar moves the whole axle here. This turns this way. I mean, it's just amazing. As far as the value, it's difficult to put a value on things like this because they are darn near one-of-a-kind, although there are similar things that have sold at various auctions. There are auctions that specialize in mechanical equipment. At such a sale, I could see a piece like this bringing somewhere, oh, between $5,000 and $6,000. And then maybe more. It's just... because it is truly extraordinary. I mean, I've just never seen such an amazing piece of equipment.

GUEST: Thank you.