Dodge Bros. symbols on Ford Motor Co. parts

[Bill McGuire]

Thanks in advance for your help. This forum has an amazing knowledge base.

I seem to recall (and may have seen, don't precisely remember) a Dodge Bros. symbol on automotive parts manufactured by the Dodge Bros. for the Ford Motor Co. from 1903 to 1914.

If I am remembering any of this properly, the symbol was either (?) a D and a B with their vertical elements back to back, or a D and B interlocked.

Can anyone help me fill in the details of this hazy recollection, or possibly even supply a photo of this symbol?

Thank you!

[15max]

http://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/257047/284275.html

Here is a link to a discussion which shows the DB on an early axle and a photo of the marking on a steering quadrant.

[Bill McGuire]

Thanks so much for the great info!

[Steve Jelf]

Here's the DB mark on a Ford clutch plate. It's not unusual to see it on front axles too.

[jackdaron]

I have seen it on body irons,U-joints ,Tranny pieces,axles ,spindles,and even heavy Rods.

[Willie in Houston]

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Don't forget the crankshaft on the early engines, They had a big DB on the transmission end.

[Royce P]

The broken crankshaft in my signature has a DB cartouche on it. The Dodge Brothers were the manufacturer of all Ford cars until the Model NRS came out. At that point Ford started making engine blocks and fenders and some other parts for the NRS.

By 1914 the Dodge brothers were still supplying steering gear, front and rear axle assemblies, transmissions, crankshafts, and a few other things. Ford had to scramble in 1913 - 14 to start making all those things in house, or source them from other companies such as Transue Williams.

[Jack Innes]

Royce is quite correct. The model C in my avatar had its complete chassis built by DB. In late 1904 Ford of Canada was in production at Walkerville, Ontario, across the river from Detroit. The chassis were shipped from Detroit & the bodies were built by the Gray Carriage Co. in Chatham, Ontario. The Canadian model C has a side entrance tonneau & a choice of red or yellow chassis. This car was built on December 23, 1904. It has never been apart & has original paint. It runs & drives well.

[FlatheadTed]

Jack HOW LONG DID the Grey carriage Co produce body's for Ford, at some point Canada must have started assembling Ford stampings from across the river .Did this go on into the 30s .Ted

[jackdaron]

I can't answer that one.

[Royce P]

Robert Gray's company built bodies for Ford Motor Company until 1912. After that he became a partner in the Gray - Dort car company which was fairly successful until Dort USA quit supplying chassis in 1923.

[FlatheadTed]

Thanks ,My interest is at what point did Canada became a assemble plaint of Detroit stampings ,or did they stamp there own T body's .

[Royce P]

Ted,

I think Walkerville started to make its own Model T touring bodies around late teens. Not sure about closed bodies, Ford USA was still buying those from suppliers into the 1930's.

Ford of Canada used to have a good historical department, I wonder if they still do?

Originally Posted by FlatheadTed

Thanks ,My interest is at what point did Canada became a assemble plaint of Detroit stampings ,or did they stamp there own T body's .

[Jack Innes]

Royce, you are correct on the fact that Ford of Canada once had a very good historical department. It was headed up by Herman Smith, a great automotive historian. Sadly many years back Herman retired & the archives suffered & as I understand it, the majority of the surviving information was transferred to Detroit.

Ted, as Royce stated, the Gray Carriage Co. made Ford bodies up to about 1912. If you study the bodies to that point there were virtually no stampings beyond the fenders & hood which would arrive with the chassis. In the case of my model C it appears that all of the metal body parts are either stock carriage hardware or made by Gray.

[Bill McGuire]

Thanks again for all the great info. You folks are the best!