Description

Here is the genuine article straight from the highland cow to your heel! The simple tool that inspired a whole host of high-end gentlemen’s (and ladies) products for generations upon generations. Likely the current few generations have never used one, or maybe even seen one, but when I was a kid every boy had one of some type and every dress shoe store employee used a tinned metal one to fit your shoe on and they gave it to you with the shoes – back when they sized you with a sliding shoe sizer, put the shoe on you, and then told you what size to buy. (not the high end stores – everybody! And you better have worn clean socks – the one pair with no holes, or you were in big trouble when you got home) The highland cow horn was the standard for shoehorns for centuries as they consistently had the right shape and size for the desired cut. (buffalo horn is found in a few rare pre-war and wartime items but most all such pieces by American makers date during the postwar craze to find uses for the mass quantities of slain bison remains) Consists of a cut cow horn with the portion left big enough to neatly fit around the heel to easily slide the foot in the shoe or bootee past the ankle taper. The business end of the horn is left as is and has a hole drilled in it with a lanyard. Even patina on the horn and the lanyard shows very obvious age. This is a great piece with wonderfully simple character for display or use. A great completing detail to a fine display. With many period examples seen – all with some form of embellishment – even silver fittings and some with long handles for higher boots – this humble piece is just the ticket to represent the family of limited means. With pride in craftsmanship and country, this one has a partial mark on the back, worn over with wear and use which appears to be the words “Made” and “Scotland”. A great item to complete any historic display and the horn still quite serviceable. Modern examples are still offered as tourist pieces and in the “gentlemans” genre. Only seen a couple good vintage examples of the plain tool over the years – quite a happy find. Another great personal item, wonderful for display and a good length for the bootee!