1904 Rambler wheel

What's up with the left front wheel of this 1904 Rambler. The original owner's daughter says it had something to do with being able to "limp home" on a flat tire.

Any other guesses? I don't think it is any sort of parade decoration.

Is it there to keep the spokes from being filled up with mud?

West; perhaps the car was being prepared for a parade. lol...

regards; jerry janson

Perhaps a disc added to the wheel as a temporary repair for broken spokes. If so, a rather elaborate job given the holes and it seems to be in front of the wooden spokes with what we see as spokes just painted on?

Perhaps a disc added to the wheel as a temporary repair for broken spokes. If so, a rather elaborate job given the holes and it seems to be in front of the wooden spokes with what we see as spokes just painted on?

I think you are correct.

I was looking at it earlier, at the one-o'clock position, I thought it looked like something attached to the tire valve, except it's at a spoke, where the valve can't be.

Now that you mention "broken spoke", it sure does look like the spoke is broken out at that spot near the felloe.

I have no clue about the round holes, but the two holes at the broken part are smaller than the other holes. ??

Interesting points. I thought those spokes looked kind of strange.

Thanks.

West; Gol' durn whippersnappers and their new fangled mag wheels!