Brands and Branding Irons

In the history of the west, branding irons are encrusted with as much romance as are six guns, and as a functional tool, they are just as essential.

The largest collection of branding irons belonged to John P. Hale, who is said to have owned over 400 different irons. The collection was on display at the Scouting Center and open to the public. Though, it had to be taken down due to space requirements. Many identification tags are missing from the irons and the task of pining down their origin would be most difficult if it is ever attempted. Only a few brands are on display in a viewing room without air conditioning and only open by appointment.

Hale’s collection began when he was appointed chairman for a Masonic Lodge dinner honoring J. J. “Jack” Fraser, a well-to-do Mesa resident “who had been a Mason for 59 years and a cattleman longer than that.”

In a discussion about the dinner, Fraser mentioned to Hale that his proudest possession was his J. F. Brand Iron. It was used as a centerpiece at the dinner, and Hale’s tribute to Fraser was so touching that after the dinner, Fraser gave Hale a scepter with his own brand. The J. F. Brand iron is not the most valuable today, but Hale treasured it the most.

John P. Hale’s collection was purchased after his death by C. E. Van Ness, a former council president, in January of 1948. In acquiring this collection, Van Ness saved the irons from going to a wealthy Oklahoma oil man. His aim was to keep it in tact and he called it the ‘John P. Hale Collection of Branding Irons.’ It is only hoped that the collection is moved out of storage and offered a proper place to be viewed for what it is, a precious bit of the colorful romance of the Old West.