Antique Hat Stretcher Adjustable Millinery Wood Mold Form

This is an interesting antique wood hat stretcher or mold form. The piece is made of a two U shaped wood pieces held together by a cast iron screw. You can adjust the width of the piece by turning the metal piece. It measures 5 1/2 deep on one side and 6 deep on the other, with a height of 2 1/4 - the width is adjustable from 6 7/8 to 8 1/4. It is in very good condition with wear commensurate with a piece of its type and age that saw use. You have the choice to re-finish it, but I think that the worn patina adds to its look. There is a bit of rusting visible on the screw threads, but nothing pronounced. The elderly lady that I acquired this from told me that it was her fathers, who was a fireman and used it to keep his hat in good shape - Im sure, however, that ownership pre-dated him. This is a nice antique display piece.