The 1939 Styled John Deere Model A Tractor

Image Gallery The 1939 John Deere Model A, serial number 479547, as bought. There were 11,000 of these 1939 year models built, serial numbers 477000 to 487999.

RR #6 Box I67 Frankfort, Indiana 4604I

One day a friend came up to me at the Rough and Tumble Show at Kinzers, PA, in August, 1986, and asked me if I wanted to buy a tractor. He named three that he had for sale. The only one that I was interested in was a styled Model A. I asked him what year it was, but he didn't know. I told him that if it was a four-speed, either 1939 or 1940, I would be interested.

In the early spring of 1987 I went to see him. We went to see his tractors. But his tractor turned out to be just like my 1945 Model A, a six-speed of the years from 1941 to 1947. So I didn't progress any farther with any deal.

On July 11, 1987 I, along with many other members of the Clinton County Antique Machinery Club, began to move tractors into the Clinton County Fairgrounds for our tractor show in connection with the annual 4-H Fair at Frankfort, Indiana. There were 105 registered tractors there along with other drills, wagons, planters, plows, and a model Case steam traction engine. I took my old GP, AR, and BR tractors.

There were three tractors with 'For Sale' signs on them. One was a 1940 Model A. A closer look showed it to be a 1939 Model A tractor. It was all painted up like new, but there were a few things that I noticed that it needed.

All John Deere historians know that the 1939 Model A is merely a 1938 Model A in styled form. It had the old style engine and transmission. The 1940 has the new style engine like the 1941 to 1947 six-speed tractors, yet it is only four speeds. A brief breakdown of them is:

410,000 to 459,999, 1933 to 1937 open front 4-speed trans.460,000 to 476,999, 1938 open front w/12 spline rear axle and other changes.

477,000 to 487,999, 1939 styled, w/same as 1938.488,000 to 498,999, 1940 styled w/later engine and 4-speed trans. 499,000 to 583,999, 1941 to 1947 styled, same as the 1940 except six speed.

There are just 11,000 each of the 1939 and 1940 year models. And I rarely ever see any of them at any shows.

A few of the changes unique to the 1938  and 1939 Model A covering both the un styled 1938 and styled 1939 are the 12 spline rear axles and different rear axle housings from the earlier models.

Needless to say, I bought that old tractor, serial number 479,547. It was built on October 10, 1938 and shipped to the Indianapolis area. The enclosed photograph of it shows it in the same condition as when I bought it.

When I tried it out my overalls got caught in a split in the seat, so I replaced it with another seat that I had at home.