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Davos Norwegian Wooden Pack Sledge c. 1950's

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:125.00 USD Estimated At:400.00 - 600.00 USD
Davos Norwegian Wooden Pack Sledge c. 1950's
Featured in this lot is this Davos Norwegian wooden sledge circa 1950's. The sledge features a wonderfully and professionally crafted wooden and iron construction that shows a wooden grate frame with iron sledge rails. The frame is doweled together and shows curving billows to the rails. The history of the world-famous Davos sledge began in the nineteenth century. Carpenters from Davos worked on improving the Norwegian sledge. The sledge received its moniker during the first, famous toboggan race in Davos in 1883. At the time, daredevil sledge pilots hurtled down the snow-covered streets from Davos-Wolfgang to Klosters. The Davos International Toboggan Club was established and led by the English poet and literature critic John Addington Symonds in the same year. The Davos sledge is generally made of ash wood and is 31 1/2 to 51 inches long. A Davos sledge features a more upright position than a toboggan does. In contrast to a toboggan, the Davos sledge is controlled with the feet, by placing the foot next to the inside edge of the snow. The sledge is also slowed with the feet. This Davos sledge shows an ashwood construction with two metal support beams running under the seat. The front features a small black metal bar that could be used to tie rope to for hauling larger items. The condition of this sledge is well preserved with no obvious signs of damage and shows some wear to the iron rail from use and a very slight oxidation but otherwise is well preserved. The measurements of this sledge is 40" x 16 1/4" x 14 1/4". The collective weight of this sledge is 10lb 14oz.