Images(10)

Cutter, Leather

Object number2007.39.5 a-d

Date1875-1899

MediumMetal; wood

Credit LineGift of the descendants of Michael Schmidt

DescriptionFour hand-held leather shaping tools. Hand-held leather shaping tool. Cylindrical/hourglass-shaped brown wooden handle. Small hole on the top of handle. Attached to handle: rectangular metal clamp(?) with hole in middle. Large circular flathead screw on front; smaller screw on spine. Does not open. Hand-held leather shaping tool. Elongated teardrop-shaped black painted wooden handle with two flattened sides and top. Flat metal arrow, rounded edges. Lies on slight angle. Hand-held leather shaping tool. Cylindrical brown wooden handle, widens slightly in middle. Circular metal washer connects handle to rectangular metal block, with the top edges slightly raised. Engraved number on front side of rectangle. Hand-held leather shaping tool. Cylindrical handle, curves in and back out to meet circular metal washer, which connects handle to metal rod with solid ribbed wheel, which turns. Hole at top of handle.Dimensions(a) Length: 6 ... Width: 1.375 ... Circum: 4.25
(b) Length: 5 ... Width: 1.125 ... CIrcum: 3.5
(c) Length: 5.5 ... Width: .875 ... Circum: 4
(d) Length: 5.125 ... Width: 1 ... Circum: 3.25
Marks(c)
Engraving: "20".
Historical NotesSet of tools used by Michael Schmidt, a cobbler who owned a shoe shop in Mt. Oliver. Because he was a cobbler in both Austria and Pittsburgh, the origin of these tools is unknown. Born on November 2, 1848 in Austria, Michael Schmidt moved to America with his family in 1883. They first lived in Bloomfield, where he walked across a railroad bridge to a shoe factory in Mt. Oliver. After nearly being killed by a train, Michael and his family moved to Mt. Oliver, where he opened his own store on the corner of Amanda Avenue and Charles Street. The Schmidt Store remained in business until Michael's death in 1904.

Previous owner Michael Schmidt (1848 - 1904)

Subjects