Barbed Wire Tamed the Old West & is a Unique Hobby

Historians cite barbed wire as the invention that tamed the West. Historically, herding large numbers of cattle required significant manpower. But, when barbed wire fencing proved to be an inexpensive method to control cattle, fewer cowboys were needed to manage the many herds of cattle on the ranges.
In 1860, Leonce Eugene Grassin-Baledans, of France, first proposed fencing that consisted of flat and thin wire. Louis François Janin was granted a patent for a double wire with diamond-shaped metal barbs in 1865, and New York’s Michael Kelly first proposed his similar concept be used to deter animal movement.
Many more patents followed. In 1867 alone there were six patents issued for barbed wire, two of which addressed deterring livestock- one from American Lucien B. Smith of Ohio. Between 1873 and 1899 there were as many as 150 companies manufacturing barbed wire, each with its own unique line of products.
Preserving and identifying antique barbed wire has become a fascinating hobby for many historians and collectors. “The Antique Barbed Wire Society is committed to collecting, preserving, exhibiting and interpreting the historical heritage of barbed wire and barbed wire-related items.” Its members come from all around the world, with some states having local and state-run organizations, including California Barbed Wire Collectors Association, Colorado Barbed Wire Collectors Association, Kansas Barbed Wire Collectors Association, Inc. and Nebraska Barbed Wire Collectors Association.
Though several museums have outstanding barbed wire collections, according to Wikipedia, the Kansas Barbed Wire Museum in La Crosse, Kansas is the only museum in the world dedicated solely to barbed wire and the history of fencing.
Obviously, collecting barbed wire is not exactly a mainstream hobby, so how exactly would someone decide to enter this fascinating, niche hobby? Lewis Winward, of Willard, UT is a serious collector of barbed wire. Raised on a family farm in Clifton, Idaho, he says he was always fascinated by the many varieties and designs of wire he ran into while mending fences. He gradually began a collection, but things changed dramatically in about 1979, when he was introduced to an old-timer named Rudy Jorgensen, who had compiled an impressive collection of strands throughout the west. The two began working trade shows and auctions, and decade by decade his modest holdings showed exponential growth.
In 2022 an international competition held in Pueblo, Colorado recognized Lewis’ collection of 5,259 distinct specimens and types as the World’s Largest Private Barbed Collection, easily surpassing the previous record of 4,008, which had stood for over forty-four years. What started as a regional collection of wires from Northern Utah and Southeast Idaho now includes specimens from around the world. The collection has seen dramatic growth in recent years, as Lewis expanded his collection to include barbed wires from wars, incarceration camps and security facilities.
Many barbed wire collectors regard “Barbed Wire Identification Encyclopedia,” written by Harold J. Hagemeier to be the most comprehensive source of information about barbed wire and the equipment that produced it. More than 1,600 illustrated variations are listed, with each design’s manufacturer, dates produced, locations where they were manufactured, patent numbers (if any) and its creator. Specifications for recognition are defined in that volume, stipulating that each individual strand be 18” long and mounted on a display board. After being mounted, wires can then be easily transported to local shows and exhibits.
Lewis is also considered to have gathered the world’s largest rolled wire collection. Originally housed at Sydney’s Restaurant in Mantua, UT, the display of 124 rolls, was moved to Sydney’s in downtown Preston, after the business relocated there from Mantua. The following article appeared in The Barbed Wire Collector, official magazine of The Antique Barbed Wire Society. Written by Lewis Winward, it published in the November/December 2022 edition.
“World’s Largest Rolled Wire Collection.”
“I know that title cannot be given unless there is an organized competition and the collections are labeled and display at that competition. It would be interesting to know how many collectors have collections of rolled wire.’
“Uncommon rolled wire is extremely rare to find these days except for in Shorty Bose’s back yard. Almost all the wire has been cut into 18” lengths or melted down for scrap metal. The war scrap metal collection products eliminated a lot of the old wire. Landfills and ditches have also covered up many rolls of wire.’
“The first time that I went to the Texas Barbed Wire Museum they had a wood rack with several rolls of different rolled wire. I was really impressed with the idea and started to collect as many different rolls as I could find. Dan Sowel’s wire pile produced a lot of my collection. After Dan sold out to Shorty I went to Nebraska and added several more. As collections are bought up, many buyers are not interested in the rolls of wire. These rolls are often passed on for a small price.’
“I have a taper-bottom plastic barrel that is 29 inches around. I take 20 feet of wire and wind it around that barrel bottom to produce even and neatly rolled wreaths of different wires.” He then listed over 127 numbers of wires he has collected and rolled.’
“124 if these rolls are on permanent display in Sydney’s Restaurant in Mantua, Utah. The décor is rustic and it is the perfect place for them to be displayed. If you ever go up there, the food and desserts are consistently excellent. It is one of my favorites for more reasons than one.”
Drop in Sydney’s soon to admire Lewis Winward’s collection. But be careful, even though the wire is antique, it’s still best handled with extreme caution. And while you’re there, enjoy a plate from their delicious, home-cooked menu. Burgers, steaks, with your choice of potatoes always tastes great. And be sure to top the meal off with one of Sydney’s mouth-watering desserts. One thing’s for sure: “You’ll never go away hungry at Sydney’s, in Preston.”
Sources: antiquebarbedwiresociety.com; Wikipedia search Nove. 10, 2024 “Barbed Wire;” World’s Largest Collection of Rolled Barb Wire, displayed on wall of Sydney’s, Preston, ID