Seeking help from anyone who can help identifying this object

Non photographic but this was in my late father's shed. Just puzzled by what it is, first thoughts is shoe last , but appears to fancy for that. Any thoughts appreciated.

mould for high heel sole?

It certainly does look like something to do with shoes or boots - try contacting Northampton Museums.

Any clues from your late father's job and hobbies?

Good luck.

Steve

I think it's called a Lath, used for making shoes to the correct size

Thanks for answers suggested. No clues from Fathers past. There is what appears to be a patent number embossed on the side, have tried checking that without success. Best bet I think will be Northampton Museums (thanks Steve) they are closed due to Covid at the moment, I will follow that up eventually. Curiosity getting better of me. Stay safe all. Regards John

It's a shoe last (not lath), for shoes with a heel.

Edit: or it may be called an anvil since it is for shaping the sole to the right angle. The last is more for the tops I believe. Ex-SIL was a shoe maker but she's not in touch anymore.

I'm no expert Gwyn, thanks for the correction

I'm no expert either, I just remembered it is a last, not a lath. Easy mistake to make. It might make takuman's searches easier though.

Give it a light wax and it makes a good ornament or doorstop!

Thanks again guys. I do believe that a Last was what shoes were (or are) repaired on, I seem to recall back in the day they came with 3 or four different sized cast iron "feet" one of which you placed inside the shoe requiring repair. Perhaps someone can clarify that.

It wasn't only cobblers that had lasts. Many handy men of the house (like my dad) had one or two and generally used them to hold the shoe while a fresh heel was nailed on.

That's exactly what I remember my father doing. Usually sat on the back step.

Yes we had one. But it looks like there was a type with interchangeable "feet", which seems to fit in with takuman's example. link for sale on ebay

Ye Gods but we are showing our age!

I suspect it's a manufacturer's shoe last (rather than repairer) and "PN" is "Pattern Number" (i.e. the model of the boot). Difficult to tell the scale, but a ladies' boot?

Not that I've seen that style before, but I reckon the two swing out bits are for left + right shoe/boot, with the chained block clipping into the side of the last to provide a 'stop' for forming the leather. Just a hunch.
It also looks like both 'arms' swing upwards and stay in place for the collar/shaft of boot.

(Grew up with shoe repairing & manufacturing machinery around me as my Dad repaired that kind of gear!)

Matt

Thanks for that, that looks promising. I do intend contacting Northampton Museums once they re-open. Your idea is best so far Matt. Thank you
John.