Any help with this? I sprayed it a few weeks ago with ortho weed b gon for southern lawns (I highly recommend it) and it started wilting within 24 hours. However, there was so much of it that it will definitely require a 2nd application. It hadn't rained in awhile and the weeds that were left were starting to wilt. It poured down rain all day yesterday and that definitely gave this weed a second wind. The pictures I posted are mild compared to how it is in some parts of my yards. My grass looks great besides this. One small fact in case this helps with the identification. The one thing I noticed is this weed started growing weeks after other weeds. It required a higher temperature to "wake up" then most other weeds. Any help would be appreciated.

How do all you know it alls?The mower in question is an original.The only thing you're right about is the handle brackets being different.The original was bent and not worth saving.They started using this style handle bracket in 1972.The id tag did not get sand blasted it was damaged by acid at some point by a previous owner.The cover plates where made in plastic and aluminum.Early run 69's had aluminum and later runs had plastic.The available replacements where plastic. My mowers are always refurbished and they command a fair price.If you don't like the price don't bid Charlie.If you want new go buy new.If you want unrestored vintage machines for 10 buck then you'll get junk.If you where that smart Charlie you'd already know your air filter fuel leak is a bad needle and seat.Get informed and educated before you spout off in speculation not knowing what your talking about people.

Back again, my previous post the URL doesn't work, from JD website, so here a copy and paste from that website concering JD service costs. SERVICE CONTRACTS - RESIDENTIAL OWNERS/USE Visit http://www.JohnDeere.com/ServicePlans for more information on John Deere Service Contracts. May not be Available in Parts of the U.S., Not Available in Canada. John Deere Break-in Maintenance Plan (Break-in Service Only) 1 break-in maintenance service; transportation for break-in service included. $169.99 John Deere Maintenance Plan (Standard) Without Break-in (1 Maintenance Service) 11 Month Term Maintenance Plan: 1 maintenance service; transportation for covered maintenance service included. $309.99 John Deere Maintenance Plan (Standard) With Break-in (1 Maintenance Service) 11 Month Term Maintenance Plan: 1 break-in service; 1 maintenance service; transportation for break-in & covered maintenance service included. $479.99 John Deere Maintenance Plan (Standard) Without Break-in (2 Maintenance Services) 36 Month Term Maintenance Plan: 2 maintenance services; transportation for covered maintenance service included. $609.99 John Deere Maintenance Plan (Standard) With Break-in (2 Maintenance Services) 36 Month Term Maintenance Plan: 1 break-in service; 2 maintenance services; transportation for break-in & covered maintenance service included. $779.99 John Deere Maintenance Plan (Standard) Without Break-in (4 Maintenance Services) 48 Month Term Maintenance Plan: 4 maintenance services; transportation for covered maintenance service included. $1,219.99 These above plans are for the X500 with the 48" deck. I just got the invoice for the annual service on my GT275 which is equivlant to the basic X500. It was to be $433.18 turned out as $375.81(163.39 parts, 175.81 lab, 26.62 misc, and 9.99 tax). Last yr. I believe I paid about $290. don't have the exact amount without digging in to last yrs. papers. The 2 largest part charges were ($42.75/blades and $78.00/muffler). The invoice is 2 pages so I will not list all items individually. I am sill waiting on the trade quote, but at these charges that Scag Tiger Cub is looking better all the time. Green is good but when it comes to these prices - well I begin to wonder. johndeere, yes I'm am seriously considering that green will be gone and not more green. If I sell it outright the invoice will be displayed with the tractor and if I trade it to the Scag dealer they will see the invoice also. If I do stay green JD dealer has a copy. Two last things to remember; I don't want to have it stolen - and there are plenty of JD nuts that will pay for it, and John Deere green ain't cheap to own. To the original poster, yes you are getting a very good deal on that Craftsman mower.

Hal, My search(s) did lead to the development of the reel mower in the UK. From what you stated I can surmize the later part of the 1800's is when this company was in business. A bit closer to dating the mower...Thanks Rich