Any ideas about this one?

SpitfireIV

Hi there, just wondering if anyone had any further info to offer on the below pictured object. I know its for either the manufacture, or repair of shoes (in this case obviously childs shoes), but thats about all I know, have no idea as to how old it may be, all I do know is that its being going around the house for as long as I can remember, been used as a weight, a hammer....you name it









In the above picture I have highlighted two areas, the blue piece I believe could be moved at one stage, ie up and down, with the red thing, at one stage being a bolt to allow the slip to move, its well corroded now though :rolleyes:

Should I protect this thing, is it worth it? Or let it be used as a hammer and what not for another lifetime?

Hagar

I've no idea of it's worth but it's a cobbler's last.

Here's a sample
They bit you have fits on top of the post inside the shoe when the sole was being nailed on.

There was another smaller type with three/four shoe sizes cast as a single piece. This was used sitting at a workbench.
Like this


Not a great pic. there was one floating around my granny's for years. Don't know what happened to it.

SpitfireIV

Hi Hagar, cheers for the reply.

I have seen a few of them cobblers last floating about (not literally ), they're the kind of thing that seem to end up in lots of peoples gardens and such.

The first pic looks interesting, but like the second only a 'sketeton' shape of the shoe is there, whereas the one I have is the shape of a real shoe, (once)movable tounge and all. Perhaps its off a victorian robot

A cobblers last it is so, be great to be able to put an age on it.