Floor lamp featuring authentic antique snowshoes made by American Fork and Hoe CO. of Wallingford, VT during WWII. Lamp also features antler and rawhide lampshade. Snowshoes have authenticating stamp of manufacturer, size (10x58), date (1943) and serial number (25984).

History

These historical snowshoes were made in America by the following companies: Lund of Hastings, MN; A.F.H. Co. (American Fork and Hoe Co.) of Wallingford, VT; Bentley-Wilson of Camden, NY; and Snocraft of Norway, ME. They were sent to Europe on ships with the elite 10th Mountain troops starting in December 1944. The snowshoes were stamped with “U.S.” and the name of the manufacturer, the size, serial number and date, either 1942, '43, '44 or '45. They are made of ash wood, rawhide and have original leather bindings. The companies mentioned were commissioned by the government under strict specifications and were the only companies allowed to use rawhide since it was rationed during the war. Consequently, they were the only snowshoes manufactured during the war years.