Hi Kurt,
I typed up a nice little response to you last night about the Ferguson Ponies and it disappeared so I will try again.
My first question to you is the tag an original tag or a reproduction tag? I put a lot of faith in the original tags. If, in fact, it is correct then you have a MH Pony painted gray. Several of the MH Ponies were compromised when Ferguson Ponies got hot in the 1990’s. There was no problem replacing the front end of the Pony with a Pacer or simply welding a gusset on the support rod going to the center of the tractor. Some red Ponies had a primer paint that was gray as well, so folks got excited that it was a Ferguson Pony.
The Ferguson Ponies were made in 1954 and 55. The serial numbers started in 1954 with 23,149 and finished 23,853. I have always heard there were just over 700 made and that number is close to the 1954 production numbers. There have been a few Fergusons found with a 24,XXX number that rolls them into 1955 production numbers.
I would question if you have a Ferguson Pony. Yes, the tag says Massey Harris Ferguson so that is why I questioned you if it was a reproduction tag. MHF in 1952 would create some questions since the merger did not begin until 1953.
The bigger challenge is you can never say “never” when it comes to Masseys. They were just not good at keeping factory production records.
I went to a Ferguson auction back in November and there was a gray Pony being sold. I got caught studying the tag! A couple guys behind me knew what I was doing. When I straightened up, they both said at the same time “It is not a Ferguson Pony, is it?” I was surprised they knew what I was doing but we all agreed it was a MH Pony very nicely painted gray. It brought $2500 so we were not the only ones recognizing it wasn’t a Ferguson Pony!
Looks can sometimes be deceiving especially when you get into limited production items.
By the way, almost all Masseys do have their serial stamped in the transmission cover. Unfortunately, Ponies don’t have a cover! I have seen a few with the number stamped in the top of the flange connecting the drive to the transmission. Again, someone might have done that on their own but most Ponies do not have a the number stamped anywhere on the tractor so that tag is all the more important!
These are just my thoughts and my humble opinion. I am sure others can chime in.
Show us some pictures!
Thanks for asking!
Gary