Interesting "Cub?" Cadet Statue/Soldier?

[Cub Cadet 123]

Wow....looking at cubs on E-bay turned this item up. Does anyone know anything about it belonging to the history of cub cadet?


http://cgi.ebay.com/IINTERNATIONAL-H...item4a9c8e8422

Cub Cadet 123

[Diz Jr.]

I bought mine from Mr.Paul Bell. This is what he has to say about them.

IH Louisville Works Bears and Cadets


Paul R. Bell, Louisville, KY

The first cast iron bears were made in January 1949, from the first “heat” or pour of metal from the new foundry at Louisville Works. The bear had been used in advertising by IH, and the Farmall Cub was built at the Louisville Plant. The first bears were holding a tractor and had a small IH emblem below the tractor. Original bear’s w/tractor are very collectable and are the rarest. Because it did not mould well and was hard to tell what the tractor was, the patterns were changed to delete the tractor, and add a larger IH emblem. Most original bears you find will be this type. The bears were not painted, but left as they came from the mold. The bears you find that are painted were done so by individuals to suit their desires. Some were chrome plated, and given to management officials and visiting VIP’s. The others were given to employees, visitors, tours, etc. The bears were made at various times, but all had the Jan 1949 date, with the exception of a “handful” made with a date of 11-20-73. These two dates are the only ones I am aware of. When I asked about the brass and aluminum bears, the information I was given from a retired foundry general foreman, was that they most likely were made by the pattern shop to test or check the patterns. Makes sense when you think about it. The last thing you want in a grey iron foundry, is molten brass or aluminum. I won’t say that because a bear is made of brass or aluminum it is a reproduction, but I will say a lot of reproductions are made of brass or aluminum. There are also cast iron reproductions being made. The vast majority, if not all, of reproductions are smaller than an original bear, and are of the bear holding a tractor. That is because the mold they are made in, was made from an original bear, and anything made in that mold will be smaller because the hot metal will shrink as it cools. The originals were sand castings from wooden patterns that were larger than the finished product. I use a set of templates made from known originals, to measure any bear (or cadet) before I buy it. Because the old original bears were not painted, they will most likely be covered by a dark chocolate colored layer of rust that does not rub off. “Aged” reproductions are covered by an orange colored rust and or a layer of black oily dirt, both of which will come off on your hands.

The Cadets dated Nov 1960 were to commemorate the introduction of the Cub Cadet. They were left unpainted, or painted either yellow or gold. Again, some were painted to suit the individual. I have a pair that came from a plant supervisor, that had been presented as some type award, that appear to have been professionally painted in multi colors. I have seen others painted in similar fashion. The cadets dated 9-14-74 were given away at an open house at the plant, to commemorate the 500,000th Cub Cadet produced. They are painted gold, and are the most plentiful. Like the 73 bear, there are a few 73 Cadets. They, and the bears, were made before production got started on the 74 Cadet for the open house. I have heard there is a 61 cadet, but have never seen one. Like the bears, the 60 cadet is being reproduced, and the same telltale signs of the reproduction bears, hold true for the cadets.

There are still original bears and cadets available, especially around the Louisville area since that is the only place they were made, but, reproductions may also be found in the area antique malls, flea markets, and on Internet auction sites. Enjoy them, but beware of copies

[Cub Cadet 123]

Thanks for that information Diz Jr. I never knew that these bears even existed or the interesting story behind them. Thank you for sharing that with me and "enlightening" me on this history of the cub cadet!!! That might make a great thread category for this forum, "History of Cub Cadet" in which the serial numbers are listed for the production years, as well as information like you just stated could be placed for everyone to look up!!!

With much appreciation,

Cub Cadet 123