Today: an unusual vehicle from Mr. Sallmann’s collection of Swiss carriages and sleighs.

This odd-looking contraption is known as a Gemmiwagen (named after the Gemmi Pass in the Bernese Alps).

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Melanie reports that (as you can see in this photo of a photo of one in use), it could serve as a form of courting vehicle. In this case, the gentleman would ground-drive the horse while being able to chat with his lady friend. And she wouldn’t have to be bothered to climb the steep Swiss mountain roads.

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This photo shows the contraption on the seat back that makes it adjustable, to accommodate the incline of the road:

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And, finally, here’s an old photo of a young lady about to set out for a ride in a Gemmiwagen:

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To see photos of some of the oldest vehicles in Mr. Sallman’s collection, stay tuned for the May issue of The Carriage Journal.