Bill Duncan is probably one of the best-known model horse vehicle makers in the world. His miniature scale carriages, carts, sleighs and other horse-drawn vehicles are a destination in Artisans Hall at Breyerfest, and his work is so detailed and realistic that it has even been purchased by a book jacket illustrator to use as a model for paintings to grace the cover of historical romance novels! We spoke with Bill, who shared his passion for model horses and scale vehicles as well as tips for collectors interested in this aspect of the model horse hobby.
About Bill Duncan, Model Horse Vehicle Maker
Bill grew up in California and Oklahoma, where he first fell love with riding and driving. As a young child, he trained a goat to pull a cart and ran errands for his mother with his little goat cart. Later on, Bill became involved in rodeo sports. He entered and won many roping competitions. Eventually, Bill even hosted his own rodeo, the World Champion Junior Rodeo in Allen, Oklahoma.
How Bill Became Involved in the Model Horse Hobby
Bill's involvement with Breyer horses came about thanks to an accident and the need for something to do while he recovered.
"I'm the kind of guy who can't sit still. I had an accident, and had to relax for a while. My older brother was a boot and saddle maker and to keep me from going crazy, he showed me how to carve a little saddle tree and before I knew it, I had a model saddle. After I was back on my feet, I showed my cute little saddle to a buddy, who mentioned he knew someone who might buy it if I wanted to sell. One thing led to another and I discovered the world of model horses. I went to Breyerfest to get an idea of the types of saddles and harness people were showing. It was at Breyerfest I first saw the harness class. I knew I could make better carts and wagons than were being shown. I went home and started building. Now I have customers in 47 states and 12 foreign countries."
The First Breyer Scale Vehicle Bill Made
"When I got home form that first trip to Breyerfest, the first wagon I made was a small goat wagon, the second was a chuck wagon. "
How Bill Finds Inspiration for His Model Horse Projects
"I love history and have a library of books on the old west and vehicles of the 1800s. I use the books and the Internet for most of my research. Some customers have sent me books or old family photographs that have pictures of vehicles they would like me to copy. I have even copied vehicles I see in movies, using the movie itself as the reference guide. That is how I built the War Wagon. One customer sent me his own sketches to use while building a Concord stage coach for him. I mailed the finished product to him in San Francisco, California. A few months later, I received a letter from a friend, Robin Briscoe in New Hampshire who is on the board of the Concord Coach Society, Inc. Museum. She wrote about a new a piece donated to the museum from a person in California. She knew it was one of mine the minute it came out of the box. She exclaimed "That is a Duncan creation; I would know his work anywhere. I have one at home very much like it!" She turned the coach over to show my brand. She sent me a picture of it and her congratulations that it was now part of their permanent collection. It was the coach I sent to San Francisco!"
Bill's Favorite Model Horse Vehicle
"I love a new challenge, something that makes me study and engineer to figure out. So, I have to say my favorite vehicle is always the newest one, the one I've never made before, the one making me sweat!"
Model Horse Scales He Works In
"Generally, I work in 1/10th to 1/9th scale which is Breyer Traditional but I also do work in 1/12th (Breyer Classic) and 1/16th (Peter Stone Pebbles) scales."
What Tips Can You Give Collectors Interesting in Purchasing a Scale Vehicle?
"Choose a vehicle that matches the horse. For example, I had a customer one time who wanted to use a running horse model for a hearse. That's a big no-no!
"You don't want a model that is jumping pulling a carriage or wagon. Some horse are too fancy for wagons or carts. The tails on the model horses make a lot of difference in fitting wagons and carts.
"A great example of a horse fitting a vehicle correctly is the meadowbrook that Robin Briscoe has shown recently. The horse in motion is a good choice here, she has it harnessed perfectly and decorated for a parade."
World Equestrian Games Display for Breyer
"When Breyer was getting the exhibits ready for the World Equestrian Games, I was asked to create a marathon cart to be used in one of the exhibits. As a woodworker, creating a metal cart was a challenge. Shaping and smoothing metal is very different. Learning to make symmetrical bends in the metal mesh was a test of my patience! After six or seven tries, the final product had twelve symmetrical bends and 4 or 5 curves. I was honored to have my work included in the exhibit.
If collectors want to start making their own vehicles, how can they get started?
"Study! Start with what you know best and go slowly. If you are not familiar with the history and design of horse drawn vehicles, you need to do a lot of studying!
"You need to have good feel for wood and how to work with wood. You will need to draw-up plans for the construction of the vehicle or you may have to find plans for full size vehicles and reduce them to the proper scale. All of my vehicles are made from hand using hard woods. All axles, hinges, springs, etc. I make by hand from metal. The only purchased items on any of my vehicles are the nails, bolts, nuts, and those are custom ordered.
"This may sound like it is a lot of work and it is. It takes a lot of knowledge, many tools, some of them very tiny, and time. Many will start a vehicle, but few can finish one to their satisfaction because they cannot find wheels to buy and they don't know how to make them.
"Not only do you need to know the history, design, and woodworking; you have to think small! Nothing is big in this business!"
Bill Duncan's work may be viewed at Breyerfest in Artisans Hall and on his website, BD Wagons. You can also join his Facebook fan page for BD Wagons.