Are these still used?

[greenacres]

This is a shoe making tool it's around 80 yrs. old. I have taken it with me for 32 of those years and it's not light!, lol Do they even use these to make shoes? If it's mass production, probably not. We hang things on it in the guest room.

[KC]

I know the old cobbler shop near me here in TX uses some old ones - one mounted on the counter top and a stand-up one for sole repairs!

Nice piece!!!!

[hosman321]

I agree! Yours is nicer than the others I see around! The ones around me go for between $60 and $100. But yours is super cool.

[fancypants]

Nice heavy-duty tool ,  greenacres !

Does the sole anvil have a square/rectangular shaft (where it fits into the base pedestal) ?

[talesofthesevenseas]

I have seen a few still in use too, but I think they are becoming much less common than they were. I'd hang onto it! 

[greenacres]

Is this what your speaking of?

[talesofthesevenseas]

What is the name on the base? I can see "Phila PA" but that is about it.

[greenacres]

TRU Fit MFG CO

[talesofthesevenseas]

Here's a shoe stretcher by the same company that dates to 1907:
http://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/vintage-mechanical-iron-tru-fit-shoe-87516186

[cogar]

I guess the correct name is "cobbler's last".

Do you have the other "sizes" of shoe lasts to go with it.

This is like the one my Dad had, to wit:

[greenacres]

No, I don't have any extra parts, but my sister in law has an extra shoe stretcher. During the Depression shoe makers always made money. Everyone got their boots and shoes repaired. Now we are a throw away society, very few exist. (shoe repair shops )

[cogar]

My dad wasn't a per say "shoe cobbler" ....... just a "shoe fixer-upper er".

He raised 11 children that he had to keep their shoes in good repair.

When one out grew his/hers they would be "handed down" to the next one.

[mariok54]

I'd never seen a shoe/boot last like yours before, and couldn't even find one via Google. It may not be worth a great deal, but who knows? Is there a shoe museum local to you that you could send a photo to? If it's unusual enough, you never know, they may even be interested in it.

[greenacres]

It's from my husband grandfather. He might enjoy that idea.

[cogar]

After looking at those pictures again .......... me thinks you have a "marriage" there. 

The shoe last and the stand were never meant to go together. 

Reason 1: the last has a square stem and the connector (union) on top of the center extension shaft has a round hole.

Reason 2: the twist knob on the stand is made for “raising & lowering” the center shaft of the stand …… which would “raise & lower” whatever was inserted into the connector (union) on top of the center extension shaft.

Reason 3: shoe cobblers pretty much always sat down when working on a pair of shoes, ….. and as pictured that “last” would have been too high for most cobblers to even use, let alone extending it up any higher than it is pictured.