Quite good, all things considered. Rather cracked looking but it doesn't
leak. I do remember my uncle oiling it though.
"Rich Grise" wrote in message
news
On Sun, 01 Jan 2006 15:21:04 +0000, CW top-posted:

We have a place in Maine that has nothing but fireplace heat. We have a
bellows that has been in constant use for near 100 years (the place has
been
in the family since my grandparents). It has a brass nozzle (but doesn't
look like a hose nozzle) and the leather is secured to the wood with
furniture tacks like this one.

So, after 100 years, what kind of shape is the leather in?

Thanks,
Rich


"humunculus" wrote in message
oups.com...
Wow, I think somebody got scammed. Those are furniture tacks being used
to hold on the naugahyde, and the tip is definately from a hose
fitting: see http://tinyurl.com/dh73r.

The bellows is similar to this one
http://www.chipcarving.com/bellows.htm but not as well made. I don't
think there's any way that the original is an antique.

--humunculus