can anyone help identify these wire wheels. I know there were a lot of manufacturers in the late 20s early 30s but none of my research has turned up anything. saw one wheel that looked close and was said to be from an Essex. they are 19" bent spokes, 3" wide with 5 on 5.5 bolt pattern. the mounting surface is kinda odd. lug holes are a bit larger than early ford. thinking maybe they used a centering lug nut? possibly looking to alter these to use on early ford drums but wouldn't want to ruin if they are rare and somebody could use for a restoration.
I never saw the back of a hub like that before, I don't know what it is. I looked at every wheel on the net for a couple years, looking for 2 for my Nash. My Nash has that lip facing the drum right at the center hole, and mine fits into a groove cut in each brake drum. Yours don't look like that edge fits in a groove, I think that edge just keeps the hub braced against a flat drum surface. If your lug studs are long enough, and if you can find nuts that won't be too small, I would run them. That's if you test fit that surface on your drum first.
the inside lip does stick out a little bit towards the drum so maybe it did have a groove on the drum. they will work on my car with some alterations. i just wouldnt want to screw them up if they happen to be something that somebody is looking for