Another junk find?

[braggscowboy]

I hope you people don't get bored, but this is a good place to find what one needs to know. I am quite sure of what these are as far as shoe lasts. They are very small for a kid or small woman. They have been used and are made from cast iron and weigh more than 10 pounds each. I have had the flat ones that fit on the upright but neve like these. They are a pair and a post would have gone down in them about 6". Suppose these could have been for button up shoes or just made different than most? I have been doing this for close to 40 years and this is the first ones I have seen like this. Any help appreciated! Thanks,

[fordy]

................I believe those look like shoe\boot holders that cobblers use when they are rebuilding old shoes ! , fordy

[braggscowboy]

Originally Posted by fordy

................I believe those look like shoe\boot holders that cobblers use when they are rebuilding old shoes ! , fordy

Yes fordy, that they are, that I knew, but are they for button-up-high top shoes or just a different kind of last. I have, have had several lasts, but have not seen any like these.

[bluetogreens]

Would that be the kind for working all leather boots, where they would be frequently worked? Not really an expert here, but to an untrained eye they look like old style cowboy boot holders either that or the heavy pegs used on shoe shine booths

[tinknal]

I like the shoe shine idea. Probably a spindle at the top and a post at the bottom to hold it in place.

[braggscowboy]

Originally Posted by tinknal

I like the shoe shine idea. Probably a spindle at the top and a post at the bottom to hold it in place.

Not for shoe shine, these are too small and have been used to cobble on, nail tracks. Only big enough to shine kids shoes, small shoes at that. I have a shine stand and much bigger.

[beowoulf90]

I think it is just a different style/maker of the shoe lasts. I have some others, but never seen any with the round base..
Maybe a "portable" shoe last. All the others I've ever seen were nailed to the bench or a stump, so with these you wouldn't need to carry the stump or bench. Just set them down on any stump/bench and go to work.. That would/could be why they weigh 10 pounds each..

[dlskidmore]

You can't make a modern shoe on a metal last, there's nothing to nail in to. Perhaps these are for making older "turn shoes" where the sewing was all done on the outside and then the shoe was turned inside out upon completion? Turn shoes were soft shoes similar to moccasins, but European style.

Turnshoe - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Welt_(shoe)

Here's another, different style from yours.
Vintage Turn-of-the-Century Cast Iron Shoe Last | Collectors Weekly

[FarmboyBill]

Them sockets would have had a retangular shaft that might have been a foot or taller. This would have been bolted onto the work table. Different sized lasts as you have there would be inserted for the particular shoe being worked on. Ive seen them several times at shoe shops, and at one harness and shoe shop.

[braggscowboy]

Originally Posted by FarmboyBill

Them sockets would have had a retangular shaft that might have been a foot or taller. This would have been bolted onto the work table. Different sized lasts as you have there would be inserted for the particular shoe being worked on. Ive seen them several times at shoe shops, and at one harness and shoe shop.

You have seen round ones like this? I have been collecting for 40 years and have never seen any like this? Where did you see some in Oklahoma?

[braggscowboy]

Originally Posted by bluetogreens

Would that be the kind for working all leather boots, where they would be frequently worked? Not really an expert here, but to an untrained eye they look like old style cowboy boot holders either that or the heavy pegs used on shoe shine booths

Don't think they are for a shoe shine booth, this is the only type that I have seen to shine on a big shine parlor, this one came from a hotel chain, at one time you could see part of where it came from, but not now. As you can see, I have had it stored for some time. Most towns before tennis shoes and throw aways, had "shoe shiners" or "boot blacks" that would have a home made shine box that had all materials needed and a shoe rest and one would lean against a building with ones back while your shoes were being shined.

[Dusky Beauty]

I think you're right, they look like they are a mold for victorian style boots.