Krebs Leather Splitter, circa 1890

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Artifact Overview

John Theodore Krebs patented his leather splitting machine in 1884. Leather splitters were designed primarily for use in the harness and saddle industry. A leatherworker fed a thick leather strap into the splitter then pulled it through the roller and blade mechanism. This reduced or "split" the piece of leather into a layer of uniform, workable thickness.

Artifact Details

Artifact

Leather splitter

Date Made

circa 1890

Place of Creation

Location

Not on exhibit to the public.

Object ID

2017.0.34.1337

Credit

From the Collections of The Henry Ford.

Material

Metal

Color

Black (Color)
Gold (Color)

Dimensions

Height: 8.75 in
Width: 11.75 in
Length: 8 in

Inscriptions

on oval plate on base: KREBS / PAT / OCT 21 1884
Krebs Leather Splitter, circa 1890