❄️ Antique Strap-On Ice Skates Set w/ Leather Carrier - c. 1880-1915
Before modern ice rinks, molded boots, and steel blades, skating was something you adapted to, not something you bought ready-made. This remarkable antique set of strap-on ice skates dates to the late 19th or very early 20th century and was designed to attach directly to a person's everyday leather boots. Each wooden skate features a forged iron blade and adjustable leather straps, allowing one pair of skates to serve multiple wearers. The skates are mounted on their original heavy leather carrier board, which allowed them to be worn at the waist or over the shoulder for transport to frozen ponds, rivers, or canals.
This is not decorative reproduction gear - this is authentic, working-era winter equipment. Sets like this were used by families, rural communities, and early skating clubs, long before standardized shoe sizing or recreational sports manufacturing existed. The wear you see is honest, earned, and exactly what collectors look for.
Materials: Hardwood, forged iron blades, vegetable-tanned leather
Configuration: Multiple skates mounted on original leather carrier
Country of Origin: Likely United States or Canada
Dimensions
Carrier board length: approx. 28-30 inches
Individual skates: varied sizes (designed for adjustable fit)
Condition Statement
Authentic antique condition. Leather is aged and stiff in areas with cracking consistent with 100+ years of use. Wood shows wear, darkening, and surface marks. Iron blades display surface oxidation. No modern repairs observed. Complete as a historical set and sold as found.
Fun Fact
Early strap-on skates were often shared among families or neighbors - a single set could outfit multiple people skating on the same frozen pond.
Shipping & Handling
Ships safely & securely from rural Colorado with careful packing and insurance included. Ground Advantage is standard, or Priority Mail options available depending on location and combined order size.
