In its first few years of production the John Deere Model E gas
engine was manufactured by the Waterloo Gasoline Engine Co., which
John Deere bought in 1918. These early engines had a large brass
tag, approximately 3-3/4-inch x 1-5/8-inch, affixed to the base of
the engine under the gasoline filler opening. The tag noted the
type, serial number, horsepower and rpm of the engine.
Following that, a brass tag identifying the serial number only
was affixed to the governor cover of the engine. Thus, most engine
enthusiasts refer to John Deere Model E gas engines so affixed as
‘brass tag’ engines. If the tag on the engine contains only
the serial number and is located on the governor, it is not a
‘brass tag’ engine.
The ‘brass tag’ engines are generally more desirable,
and in turn more valuable. It should be noted that ‘brass
tag’ engines have been counterfeited by altering the governor
cover and exchanging the original tag for a ‘brass tag.’
Careful examination of the governor cover can usually uncover a
counterfeit engine.
Contact engine enthusiast Bob Giger at: 9712 N.W. 31st Ave.,
Vancouver, WA 98665, or e-mail: bobcargiger@aol.com