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So... I just happen to have some time to kill the other day and went surfing on Craigslist....went to sports...searched 'Speed Bag' to see if there was anything interesting available....and man was there ever!
To my delight, I found a 1940's (as I am told), adjustable, A.G. Spalding Professionl Speed Bag Platform for sale right up the road. I called and talked to the owner. I was told that the man's Father was a boxer in the Army and went on to train & fight on a semi-pro level. He also told me that he had trained on this very platform with the one & only Jack Dempsey!
He swears it's true and it's been in his family for as long as he can remember. He then went on to tell me that the Smithsonian was very interested in aquiring the piece, but since there were a few parts replaced over the years (it's been in use pretty much all this time) and it wasn't ALL original, they would have to pass.
I decided to go take a look & what a monster it is. It has a 36" drum that's 2" thick and made of hardwood (I don't know the type yet). It is adjustable with a couple levers, one on each side and goes up or down about 10". Made of cast-iron (I think), this baby comes in at about 100 lbs.! It also has an Everlast ball & hook swivel and a 4208 bag. It might not look like it from these pictures but this thing is solid.
After seeing it, I HAD to have it. It now sits in my garage and is a nice restoration project for the summer. I have NO idea where I could put this thing, but it is a work of art! I think I'll call it "The Beast"... or maybe, "Manassa Mauler Monster".
I can't seem to find any information, old catalogs or pictures of this unit...so if any of you have any information, it would be most appreciated.
From a 1917 A.G. Spalding & Bros. Fall Catalog:
unrestored parts:
Finished, reassembled...and up on the wall again!
Demo:
To my delight, I found a 1940's (as I am told), adjustable, A.G. Spalding Professionl Speed Bag Platform for sale right up the road. I called and talked to the owner. I was told that the man's Father was a boxer in the Army and went on to train & fight on a semi-pro level. He also told me that he had trained on this very platform with the one & only Jack Dempsey!
He swears it's true and it's been in his family for as long as he can remember. He then went on to tell me that the Smithsonian was very interested in aquiring the piece, but since there were a few parts replaced over the years (it's been in use pretty much all this time) and it wasn't ALL original, they would have to pass.
I decided to go take a look & what a monster it is. It has a 36" drum that's 2" thick and made of hardwood (I don't know the type yet). It is adjustable with a couple levers, one on each side and goes up or down about 10". Made of cast-iron (I think), this baby comes in at about 100 lbs.! It also has an Everlast ball & hook swivel and a 4208 bag. It might not look like it from these pictures but this thing is solid.
After seeing it, I HAD to have it. It now sits in my garage and is a nice restoration project for the summer. I have NO idea where I could put this thing, but it is a work of art! I think I'll call it "The Beast"... or maybe, "Manassa Mauler Monster".
I can't seem to find any information, old catalogs or pictures of this unit...so if any of you have any information, it would be most appreciated.
From a 1917 A.G. Spalding & Bros. Fall Catalog:
unrestored parts:
Finished, reassembled...and up on the wall again!
Demo:
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