Antique Boot Patchers, Non-Singer

[Chipster]

I'm looking for info on non-Singer patchers(antique). I found one in an antique shop (no camera) that had no Makers Name anywhere, however it did have two lions flanking a castle on the treadle cross brace, and the hand crank wheel had a depiction of the factory works and small circles with obscured images from usage.

[shoepatcher]

Chipster,

That sound like and early Claes or Durkopp. Can you get some pics of the machine and put them on the forum? I or other memebers may be able to identify it. If it is indeed one of these machines,

there are no parts for it available. I may manuals on the machine.

I'm looking for info on non-Singer patchers(antique). I found one in an antique shop (no camera) that had no Makers Name anywhere, however it did have two lions flanking a castle on the treadle cross brace, and the hand crank wheel had a depiction of the factory works and small circles with obscured images from usage.

[sdc]

I'm looking for info on non-Singer patchers(antique). I found one in an antique shop (no camera) that had no Makers Name anywhere, however it did have two lions flanking a castle on the treadle cross brace, and the hand crank wheel had a depiction of the factory works and small circles with obscured images from usage.

Have you had any luck identifying your machine yet? I purchased what sounds like the very same machine at a household auction last week. It came from an old shed on a farm about a mile from my home in Iowa. This area is predominately of Czech heritage. The family who owned the machine said no one had seen it moved in over 65 years and knew nothing about who may have used it, other than the same family has owned the farm since sometime in the 1800's. I have looked at machines on the internet and found several similar (with 2 lions & a crown), but none with the castle between the two lions. It took 3 strong men to lift it into the back of my minivan and it barely fit. I am wondering if the original family may have brought it with them when they immigrated from Bohemia in the mid-to-late1800's? They were farmers so they would have used it for harness making. I donated the machine to our local heritage museum and it was unloaded there directly from my vehicle due to its size.. I will try to get some photos this weekend when the museum is open. I know I have seen this emblem before on other Czech items & wonder if it was a castle in Prague? Would appreciate any assistance in identifying this treasure.

[CowboyBob]

Here's a pic of a Durkopp.

[sdc]

Here's a pic of a Durkopp.

I posted a bunch of photos of the mystery boot patcher to the gallery today. From what I can find on the internet, I think it was made by Hengstenberg in Bielefeld, Germany. What I don't know is the date of manufacture or which partner he was working with at the time. The family on whose farm the machine was located immigrated from Pisek, Eastern Bohemia in 1884. I have found record of their relatives beginning to immigrate in the 1860's up until the 1890's. So, most likely, the manufacture date of the machine is around 1880 to 1900. Would appreciate any input others may have as to the date. I donated the machine to our local museum & we need to clean it up properly. Appreciate any advice in that regard also. Thanks - Shirley