Would This Have Been Used In Harness Making?

[sapphire]

New to the forum and am trying to find some information for a poster on another forum. He has taken possession of some of his grandfather's belongings that were

located in his grandfather's shop. The gentleman apparently had owned pack horses/mules and old saddlery. The family included farmers, metal workers and gunsmiths.

He wants to keep this in the family and is very interested in finding out exactly what it's use was.

At first sight I was reminded of a stitching horse. Is it possible this could be a rudimentary/homemade horse?

I am including his description of the item along with pictures that he supplied. Also mentioned in another posting is the fact

that there is the remains of a horse shoe painted on the seat. It is slightly visible in one of the pictures.

Any information or direction is greatly appreciated.

"There are no moving parts, and I suspect something is missing. The legs are strapped together with leather strips, as well as the beams on top.

If you look at the front view of the angled beam and notice the hole where it meets the vertical piece, that hole goes all the way through and comes

out under the smaller beam that points down. There is a channel under the beam on the back side of this thing that goes all the way to the ground.

It looks like some type of string, cord, yarn is supposed to be pulled through from the back. My guess is that large quantities of string or whatever

is supposed to come through the hole. I wish I had what is missing from under the longer beam. There are no holes under the seat itself indicating

that anything goes there."

Edited March 19, 2010 by sapphire

[MikeCahill]

New to the forum and am trying to find some information for a poster on another forum. He has taken possession of some of his grandfather's belongings that were

located in his grandfather's shop. The gentleman apparently had owned pack horses/mules and old saddlery. The family included farmers, metal workers and gunsmiths.

He wants to keep this in the family and is very interested in finding out exactly what it's use was.

At first sight I was reminded of a stitching horse. Is it possible this could be a rudimentary/homemade horse?

I am including his description of the item along with pictures that he supplied. Also mentioned in another posting is the fact

that there is the remains of a horse shoe painted on the seat. It is slightly visible in one of the pictures.

Any information or direction is greatly appreciated.

"There are no moving parts, and I suspect something is missing. The legs are strapped together with leather strips, as well as the beams on top.

If you look at the front view of the angled beam and notice the hole where it meets the vertical piece, that hole goes all the way through and comes

out under the smaller beam that points down. There is a channel under the beam on the back side of this thing that goes all the way to the ground.

It looks like some type of string, cord, yarn is supposed to be pulled through from the back. My guess is that large quantities of string or whatever

is supposed to come through the hole. I wish I had what is missing from under the longer beam. There are no holes under the seat itself indicating

that anything goes there."

I am not setting myself up as an expert, and I've never seen anything quite like it but the chamfered corners, the obviously machine routed channel, and 1970's style spray finish, I suspect you have a telephone table that used to have a light fitting probably in the shape of a lantern hanging from the arm. Just a guess!!

Cheers

Mike

[leatherman1457]

maybe a braiders bench? finished braid went thur the hole on top ? you have me stumped lol