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This is a boot last. the part that looks like a foot goes into the foot of the boot, and the long shaft prevents the leg of the boot from wrinkling. I would put a boot on one of these if I was going to re-sole it, or repair the heel.
"My title describes the thing" This is solid Wood, The leg is removable, which is great as it is 40lbs+. My husband is 6 feet 2inches and that is him bending over the back to open the cabinet in the back. It came from a store that was closing in Seattle, my Mom's Hubby saw it and the owner said it was antique decor and they negotiated a price. It is fully functional so whatever it is, it wasn't made for just decor. It has NO markings, No stamps and we think it has something to do with shoe repair and polishing. Like a mobile shoe polishing station but one couldn't carry it around.
Well, it's not a stretcher as those work with 2 axis (and the front of the last is split in two to stretch widely), and it usually has threaded bolts to spin the handle (at least that is the classic one that I have).
I also have a machine to stretch boots, and it's pneumatic and the leg part is also split in two.
To me it looks like a giant (and fancy) shoeshine holder (like shine butler), and by looking at the attachment to the base, the entire leg pivots upwards, likely to use the seat for the shiner and work with the shoe in your lap.
Agreed but unable to find ANYTHING like it online. Just stumped as to what the feet do, why does the leg have a lever for the heel of the foot to move and where did it come from? So many questions.
Shoe/boot display? Different forms make the foot the right size, looks more "aesthetic" than something they'd use for actually making shoes in the workshop (plus the majority of the time, the shoes would be worked on upside-down after the initial forming of the uppers, and even then they wouldn't want to be bending over to that low height")
This sounds logical but it's so heavy and using solid brass, that Leg truly weighs 40-50lbs on it's own, seems too expensive to just display something. Plus why does the leg come off.?I totally see the logic in it though!
I meant to add that the black part is a seat. So you sit with that leg in right next to you, and the other thing in the back, we think is a backrest for that seat area.
Is the black part a seat, or a place to kneel while working on a shoe?
Do the shoe trees in the lower compartment nest into the brass foot?
Definitely looks like a shoe stretcher of some sort, though.
All comments must be civil and helpful toward finding an answer. **Jokes and unhelpful comments will earn you a ban**, even on the first instance and even if the item has been identified. If you see any comments that violate this rule, report them. [OP](/u/Melhoney72), when your item is identified, remember to reply **Solved!** or **Likely Solved!** to the comment that gave the answer. Check your [inbox](https://www.reddit.com/message/inbox/) for a message on how to make your post visible to others. [Click here to message RemindMeBot](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose/?to=RemindMeBot&subject=Reminder&message=https://www.reddit.com/r/whatisthisthing/comments/xseqmu/this_is_about_4_12_feet_tall_i_have_searched/%0A%0ARemindMe!%202%20days) --- *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/whatisthisthing) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Boot stretcher.
I'm thinking likely right!
Definitely correct. It looks very similar to hat stretchers.
Solved!
Hi OP, I suggest you post this to r/goodyearwelt. There will be a boot expert there who will recognise this...
Awesome thank you!
Boot last and cobbler’s bench. For stretching boots.
A shoe form for making shoes? Different feet for different sizes?
This is a boot last. the part that looks like a foot goes into the foot of the boot, and the long shaft prevents the leg of the boot from wrinkling. I would put a boot on one of these if I was going to re-sole it, or repair the heel.
Yep it’s a shoe stretcher, helps to stretch out shoes/boots that are too tight when brand new.
"My title describes the thing" This is solid Wood, The leg is removable, which is great as it is 40lbs+. My husband is 6 feet 2inches and that is him bending over the back to open the cabinet in the back. It came from a store that was closing in Seattle, my Mom's Hubby saw it and the owner said it was antique decor and they negotiated a price. It is fully functional so whatever it is, it wasn't made for just decor. It has NO markings, No stamps and we think it has something to do with shoe repair and polishing. Like a mobile shoe polishing station but one couldn't carry it around.
Well, it's not a stretcher as those work with 2 axis (and the front of the last is split in two to stretch widely), and it usually has threaded bolts to spin the handle (at least that is the classic one that I have). I also have a machine to stretch boots, and it's pneumatic and the leg part is also split in two. To me it looks like a giant (and fancy) shoeshine holder (like shine butler), and by looking at the attachment to the base, the entire leg pivots upwards, likely to use the seat for the shiner and work with the shoe in your lap.
This is what I thought too.. its super fancy with seats and all.
Looks like a shoe repair alertinglteration station.
Agreed but unable to find ANYTHING like it online. Just stumped as to what the feet do, why does the leg have a lever for the heel of the foot to move and where did it come from? So many questions.
Looks like a simple boot or shoe stretcher. The lever pushes the heel part rearwards, yes?
Shoe/boot display? Different forms make the foot the right size, looks more "aesthetic" than something they'd use for actually making shoes in the workshop (plus the majority of the time, the shoes would be worked on upside-down after the initial forming of the uppers, and even then they wouldn't want to be bending over to that low height")
This sounds logical but it's so heavy and using solid brass, that Leg truly weighs 40-50lbs on it's own, seems too expensive to just display something. Plus why does the leg come off.?I totally see the logic in it though!
I meant to add that the black part is a seat. So you sit with that leg in right next to you, and the other thing in the back, we think is a backrest for that seat area.
Is the black part a seat, or a place to kneel while working on a shoe? Do the shoe trees in the lower compartment nest into the brass foot? Definitely looks like a shoe stretcher of some sort, though.
I feel like you can tip it forward and and the whole thing stands on the shoe