What Did a Corn Sheller Cost in 1896?

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Part of the Sandwich Manufacturing Company Series

Prices, Power, and Farm Machinery in the Age of Horse Power

By 1896, the Sandwich Manufacturing Company of Sandwich, Illinois, was producing shellers and farm machinery for nearly every size of farm operation imaginable.

Its Forty First Annual Sheller Catalog featured everything from compact hand operated shellers to massive horse powered rigs capable of processing enormous quantities of corn during harvest season. And while the machines themselves were impressive, the prices listed throughout the catalog reveal just how significant these investments could be for farmers in the late 19th century.

Some machines were affordable enough for smaller family farms. Others represented serious commercial equipment intended for large custom shelling operations that traveled from farm to farm during harvest.

The catalog makes one thing very clear:

These were not simple tools.

They were industrial agricultural machines.

Small Machines for Everyday Farm Use

At the lower end of the catalog were smaller hand operated shellers and lighter farm machines intended for everyday use on modest farms.

These simpler machines were designed for:

shelling seed corn
preparing livestock feed
smaller harvesting operations
personal farm use

Even these lower cost machines reflected the company’s emphasis on durability and efficiency.

For many rural families, these shellers represented practical, affordable machinery that could save hours of labor during harvest season.

Large Mounted Shellers

The larger shelling rigs were another story entirely.

The catalog featured elaborate mounted outfits that included:

multi hole shellers
elevators
horse powers
feeders
stackers
attachments
wagon-mounted frames

One large mounted rig listed in the catalog carried a price of approximately:

$425.00

In 1896, that was an enormous amount of money.

For comparison, many laborers during this period earned only a few hundred dollars per year. Purchasing a large mounted sheller was not simply buying a machine, it was often investing in a seasonal business.

Owners frequently traveled from farm to farm shelling corn for neighboring farmers and charging for the service.

Prices Varied by Size and Configuration

The catalog carefully separated machines by:

size
feeding method
mounting style
horsepower requirements
attachments
transportation equipment

Examples from the catalog included:

Smaller shellers priced at only a few dollars
Mid sized shellers ranging into the tens of dollars
Larger mounted shellers exceeding $100
Fully equipped horse-powered outfits approaching $400–$500

Optional equipment increased the cost further.

Farmers could add:

elevators
cob stackers
wagon loaders
barrel carts
replacement parts
feed attachments
specialized drives

The result was a catalog capable of serving both small family farms and large scale custom operators.

“Samson” Horse Powers

Among the most impressive pieces of equipment in the catalog were the company’s “Samson” horse power systems.

These large geared units transformed the circular movement of teams of horses into rotating mechanical power used to operate shellers and other farm machinery.

The larger the machine, the larger the investment.

Illustrations in the catalog show enormous mounted outfits pulled by teams of horses from farm to farm across the countryside.

For many farmers in the 1890s, this represented advanced agricultural technology.

Ordering by Telegraph

One fascinating detail found in the pricing pages was the use of telegraph “cipher” names.

Models and configurations were assigned words such as:

“Bulldog”
“Butterfly”
“Burrow”
“Bumpkin”

These code words allowed dealers and customers to quickly communicate machine orders by telegraph without sending long technical descriptions.

It was a practical solution during an era when every telegraph word cost money.

Machinery Built to Last

More than a century later, many Sandwich shellers still survive.

Collectors across the United States continue restoring and displaying Sandwich machinery at antique farm shows and museums. The machines’ large iron wheels, elaborate gearing systems, and distinctive “Sandwich” branding remain instantly recognizable to many agricultural machinery enthusiasts today.

Looking through the 1896 catalog, it becomes easier to understand why these machines earned such a lasting reputation.

Facts at a Glance

The 1896 catalog featured shellers ranging from small hand-operated models to massive mounted rigs
Large mounted shelling outfits could cost approximately $425.00
Optional equipment included elevators, stackers, barrel carts, and attachments
Many machines were used in custom shelling operations
Telegraph cipher names simplified machine ordering
Sandwich shellers remain popular among collectors today

Continue the Story

Research & Sources

Sandwich Manufacturing Company Sheller Catalog, 1896
Historic Sandwich Manufacturing Company pricing sheets and illustrations
Historic agricultural machinery catalogs