Are these tools for making shoes?

June 2, 2015 9:57 PM

There is a shoe store in my neighborhood that has these tools on display alongside their wares. We can't for the life of us figure out what these elongated cylinders with holes in them are.

They look like there's a screw in the base that may or may not telescope them in or out. Can anyone help figure out what these things are for?

posted by youngergirl44 to Clothing, Beauty, & Fashion (2 answers total)

Best answer: They look like antique bobbins. They may have held some sort of twine or waxed thread or leather used for cobbling. Here's a pic of one that's similar.
posted by the webmistress at 10:04 PM on June 2, 2015 [1 favorite]

Response by poster: Holy crap. Bobbins. I'm fairly certain that's it. Thank you!
posted by youngergirl44 at 10:15 PM on June 2, 2015