Wagon Wheel Identity
 

I'll post this in the softskin forum given we don't have a woodwork forum.

This wagon axle has been presented to me as being off a WW1 Australian Army wagon/equipment. Appears to have what look like brake band surfaces on the inside so I am thinking a rear axle. No obvious markings. Haven't found anything identical on google images and most military wheels seem to have a sturdy brass bolted hub flange.

Are there any wagon experts on the forum. The wheel diameter is 960mm. The steel rim is about 12 mm thick.

Wagon Wheel
 

How many spokes on the wheel?

I can't speak as to the Australian army, but the Royal Carriage Department designed equipment all used somewhat standard wheels. The brass hubs allowed users to replace spokes, so you did not require a wheelwright. We have several examples of wheels on older guns here where the spokes themselves are manufacturer marked, broadarrow marked, and dated.

14 spokes.

Wagon and Carriage Wheels
 

From what little I know about the topic, the different wheel types were numbered sequentially and this information should be stamped into the back of each alternate felloe and the date on the back of the flange.

Does yours resemble this diagram?

Attachment 88396

Not really. Looks more like a standard dray hub although the wheel is fairly sturdy. I don't know anything about wagons and such myself but I take Rob's point about the brass flanges being made to replace spokes easily. A forerunner to the War Department rims perhaps.

wagon wheel
 

I started a club called The Western Canada Wheel Wright Assoc that is world wide now There is two fellows that are doing wheels for big guns now I'll send you their addresses as soon as I find them