Odd D Story

[Howard H.]

A friend of mine recently bought a nice styled JD D. Its been in the community for years and he's the third owner.

The original family that purchased it in 1951 or 1952 has passed on, but it was commonly known that they bought it "new" in one of those years.

In checking the serial #, though, it is a 1941 tractor!

It seems original in every way and no one would have had a reason or inclination to have ever changed the tag...

He's trying to track down the family paperwork from the original purchase that was still around as recent as a few years ago, from some of the descendants, but everyone that knew anything about it all are pretty sure it was just bought new in the 50's and always assumed it a 50's year model.

Does anyone have any idea how a 1941 tractor could have been sold as new in the early 50's??





Howard

 

[ShadetreeRet]

Some folks will tell you anything to make a sale. But that is stretching it a little.

 

[ShadetreeRet]

As they say, stranger things have happened, I guess, but it is highly unlikely that it it would have remained unsold during the War years, as equipment was not too plentiful then. At any rate it looks like someone would have snapped it up immediately after the war when things started humming again. Or, has anyone scratched the paint to check if there is any olive drab underneath? One thing I think of is the possibility that the Govt. bought it and never used it, or machinery was in such demand at that time that it was painted the original JD colors and sold as new. I know, all these are some pretty wild thoughts, I get like this sometimes late at night.

 

[Mike Aylward]

This is strictly speculation but the thought crossed my mind that this tractor might have been retained in the Deere system for several years and sold as used to a dealer who reconditioned it. A serial number check would tell you possibly more information. Mike

 

[Kansas4010]

Shadetree may be right. Neighbor has an International T9 crawler that he bought from the original owner. It was bought in the early 50's but the serial number puts it in the mid 40's or so. Been awhile since I talked with him about it but the best anyone can figure it was made for the military for WWII but never used and was sold later as surplus. He talked to an older guy when he was getting parts for it years ago and he said the military bought several and let them sit in a lot in case it was needed. I don't know how true that story is but it could be the case with yours.

 

[NoDakInMN]

I'm fuzzy on this, but didn't the Army Air Corps use the model D as airfield tractors for moving planes and armaments? That might explain the govt. surplus theory.

 

[504]

I have a Yamaha that is three years older than the title says. It sat at the dealer that long(it was a deal!)

 

[navyreteocs]

When i was in the military at Port Hueneme ca. there were 2 huge warehouses will all kinds of equipment ready to deploy anywhere it was needed. they rotated this equipment every 5/8 years replaceing it with new this in the 60/70/80 .