RobDude30 Report post Posted February 15, 2015 Hello All, I have been searching for a good stitching horse to use and ran across this one yesterday at an antique show. It is very sturdy and appears to have been well used in the trade. It has an adjustable seat that can be swung out to the side. The big screws under the seat are made of wood and the big nut holding the seat on is also wood. Everything is in tact except that the leather strap is broken and a few tacks are missing here and there. It looks like the seat was recovered a couple of times as there are what I think are the original tacks as well as some newer brass tacks on the remaining seat cover. The jaws are of the straight variety and have what I think are brass plates on them, so I am assuming that this is a harness maker's bench. I was told that this was probably from the 1850's or so, but have no idea. I just thought it was a very cool looking piece and that it was in good enough condition to use. I want to clean and preserve the wood and metal parts, replace the broken leather strap and get it into working order. However, I would like to learn what I have before I touch it just in case it might be valuable. I would hate to ruin a nice piece of history. I am just starting to research to see what I can find out about it and wanted to ask for your help. Any ideas what I have? Are there any good resources; books, websites, etc. that I should be looking at? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RobDude30 Report post Posted February 15, 2015 Couple more pictures: And a couple more: Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Geneva Report post Posted February 16, 2015 The best part of this has been used up. The wood is to old. The best you can do is take the iron off of it and make a new one. My 2 cents. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ChriJ Report post Posted February 16, 2015 Usually anything that you do to antiques is going to detract from the value of the item.If it was me I would use it as a pattern and make one like it Chris Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lazyd Report post Posted February 21, 2015 I have never seen one with an adjustable seat like that. Cool ! I would clean it up, tighten it up, Put on a new weathered strap, and use it. But that's just me.-----------Bill Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RobDude30 Report post Posted February 22, 2015 I have never seen one with an adjustable seat like that. Cool ! I would clean it up, tighten it up, Put on a new weathered strap, and use it. But that's just me.-----------Bill Thanks for the responses! That's probably what I am going to do. Surprisingly it is very sturdy. No wobbles or loose parts at all. The wooden screws under the seat are seized up. I am carefully working on getting those loose. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Eccho Report post Posted February 22, 2015 Use it, enjoy it. If it is still tight after all these years, it was well made, and may very well out last you too. That didn't come out well, but never the less, it looks like a useful piece of history. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bruce johnson Report post Posted February 22, 2015 There are very few collectible stitching horses so I'd go ahead and refurbish it for use. Semi-collectible ones are the metal jaw "Doering patent" stitching horse with the metal jaws or the occasional wooden jaw Randall wooden jaw that the markings have survived. Other than that, most are shop made or unmarked commercial mades that are users only. The interior decorators haven't keyed in on stitching horses for interior décor yet, so they are still mostly selling for user prices. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RobDude30 Report post Posted February 22, 2015 There are very few collectible stitching horses so I'd go ahead and refurbish it for use. Semi-collectible ones are the metal jaw "Doering patent" stitching horse with the metal jaws or the occasional wooden jaw Randall wooden jaw that the markings have survived. Other than that, most are shop made or unmarked commercial mades that are users only. The interior decorators haven't keyed in on stitching horses for interior décor yet, so they are still mostly selling for user prices. It does appear to have some lettering inside of one of the jaws - forgot to mention that earlier. Attached is a picture of that lettering. The letters are covered by what I guess is pitch??, but it is flaking off. I want to try to remove that so I can read what is underneath. It looks like the horse was varnished or otherwise sealed with something at one time. What might that have been when this was new? Can you recommend any good books or other resources? I would like to restore it as it would have been, still thinking that I will use it. Thanks everyone for the responses! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RobDude30 Report post Posted February 22, 2015 Here's the picture. Looks like HR or maybe AN. Look familiar? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pkay Report post Posted February 24, 2015 nice piece of kit. Probably best kept as an antique. try and sell it to a saddlers/cordwainers museum so that everyone can enjoy it. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tramps Leatherworking Report post Posted February 25, 2015 As long as it is structurally sound I would leave it as is and use it... I love having old machines/leatherworking equipment in the shop that I can still use... If nothing else, it makes for a great conversation piece. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
