1858 Pre Civil War Women’s Wooden Riding 18" Boot Trees Forms Brass Ring

Antique full-length wooden women's boot trees/forms attributed by the estate to 1858, pre-Civil War era. These unusual multi-piece wooden forms feature articulated construction with brass pull rings and were designed to fill and support the foot, ankle, calf, and tall shaft of a boot.  The foot portion measures approximately 11 inches long. These fit inside an approximately women's size 88.5 pair of tall boots; however, the boot trees themselves are not marked with a modern shoe size.  The wood shows significant age, wear, discoloration, scratches, marks, and patina consistent with an antique item. Handwritten names/numbers are present on the wood and have been left exactly as found.  These were acquired from an estate where they were identified/tagged as 1858 / Civil War era. I have not independently authenticated the exact date, maker, original owner, or place of manufacture, so please use the photographs as part of the description.  A fascinating and unusual piece of mid-19th-century footwear history, ideal for an antique shoe/boot collection, historical display, Victorian collection, or Civil War-era display. Boots shown in the last photograph are for demonstration purposes only and are NOT included in this listing.  The wooden boot trees are individually inscribed Mrs. E. Dougherty with the number 7571, indicating they were made for or owned by a woman. Inscribed Mrs. E. Dougherty 7571; the number is believed to be a maker/customer or order reference, although its exact