Project Description
Returned to Consignor. This is a 1/6 scale fully functional treadle operated antique lathe, circa about 1890, made by the late Al Osterman, father to the late renown miniature maker Daniel Osterman. This piece was made about 20 years ago. I was told by Dan’s son that this piece took Al over 1 year to make. The base measures 13 5/8″ X 8 9/16″. The lathe stands about 7 7/8″ tall. This piece is just amazing! I don’t know much about lathes, but the belt drives the lathe head when the foot pedal is pumped like an old antique treadle sewing machine. This could also be hooked up to a line shaft. There is a lever to engage the back gears so the lathe will feed automatically. The tool rest, steady rest, and tailpiece all work. The lathe is mostly machined steel construction, with the legs, base, and larger pieces painted in a black enamel. The balance of the steel parts are finished in the white. There are some brass pieces including bushings and the two functional oilers. The workmanship and attention to detail is just unreal! Included are the extra back gears for different feed rates or for cutting threads, and three miniature 1/6 scale wrenches, one for the tool holder the square head on the tool holder bolt, the other two open end wrenches for the tail stock, steady rest, and other exposed hex nuts. Al made a number of different machine shop/gun shop machines and hand tools over the years, including a drill press, shaper, surface grinder, rifling machine, and more. I’ve carried this to shows for the last couple of years and it always draws a crowd! Many people bringing others to my table just to see this lathe! Returned to Consignor.
