Posted 10 years ago
michaelr.g.1
(41 items)
Hello,
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I am looking for the makers NAME, PATENT NUMBER AND DATE of this commercially manufactured red Jack Jumper ski sled ???
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Answer: The sled was Manufactured be the C. W. Pritchard Co. Adams Mass, BUT I think the patent holder is actually W. F. CLARK & P. T. PEERAUI.T, Patented August 30, 1904, Patent No. 768,977 (see attachment).
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Jack Jumping, also known as Skibock in Europe, is a winter sport activity that involves descending down a snowy slope on a Jackjumper. The sled is a very compact skiing device that consists of a small bench seat attached to a single runner ski, the earliest ones utilizing barrel staves for the ski. The seat is usually mounted to the ski using a solid wooden post, BUT sometimes a spring and/or shock absorbing device is employed. The origins of Jack Jumping, as well as its name, remain a mystery, BUT its thought to have originated in New England during the late 1800s.
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References:
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This snow transportation article briefly mentions the New England history and construction of a Jack Jumper:
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A Single-Runner Coaster, from the article: The Practical Boy: Ice-boats, Snow-shoes, Skate-sails, Sleds, etc. by Joseph Henry Adams, edited by Mary Mapes Dodge, St. Nicholas, Volume 32, Number 3, January 1905, pages 249 to 253 (see attachment).
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After posting this item I came across the attached Popular Mecannic article mentioning a patent being filed for a similar Jack Jumper sled. I suspect this story is making reference to a patent filed by W. J. Roach for a "collapsible" version on Nov 10, 1914, patent # 1,116,487 called a Coaster Sled (see attachment). The collapsible version of the sled, with foot pegs, makes more sense to me. I did a lot of patent research to hopefully provide the correct information and good vintage images for this webpage.
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Single-Runner Sled is a Coasting Novelty, January 1915, page 169, from Popular Mecannic.
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KeyWords: Single runner coaster, Skibock, Ski bock, Coaster sled, Jack Adams, Jack Jumper, Jack Jumping, bump jumper, Skip Jumper, snow bike, snow scooters, Vermont skipper, sit or paret ski, Manigod: la Croix-Fry and Merdassier, tandems, primitive, antique, logger recreation, old, engineering, seat, bench, wood, steel, mid to late 1800's, stave, band, single runner, double, similar to slalom skiing, race, racing, downhill, alpine, kids toy, snow sled, wax, my jack jumper is painted red with white trim, Another Skip Jumper was manufactured by K. O. Chamberlin & Co. in Jericho, Vermont.








I have one. The Jack Jumper was manufactured be the C. W. Prichard Co. Adams Mass. I have no pat. date.
Thanks for the info Mitch !
So yours has the name printed on it?
Has anyone ever seen a double seater? Or guess it's worth? I have one from my grandparents from North Adams, MA similar to the one pictured, painted red.
I had one like this when I was a kid growing up in Vermont, same color and all. My point here is it originally belonged to my grandfather when he was growing up. He was born late 1880's so I have to assume these are now antique. Let me add they ain't worth a dam in fluffy snow.
Thanks for all the great responses...I have seen a Jack jumper with double runner, but not a double seater? Value of Jack Jumpers vary from $20 to $130 depending on condition, age and rarity of model...The first primitive ones where reportedly made from barrel staves but no clue on vale.
I picked up one in Burlington Vermont yesterday. It's in original condition....paint , stripes and company logo.
It was made by the W P Pritchard company in Adams Massachusetts. I'm looking for information on the company. Based on it's characteristics I want to believe it was Pritchard was probably a sleigh and carriage builder.
I would be very interested to hear from anyone with more information!
I did some more research and located the patent information along with a few vintage images.