The virtual ice Skates museum | Belgian speed skates

Belgian speed skates
Fig.1: Belgian speed skates, about 1900 The names of three Belgian ice skates makers are known. They did not stamp their name or sign in the runners as was done in the Netherlands for example. This model however quite certainly came from the workshops of Metalworking Métal SC in Nieuwpoort, that used the trademark Métalco. A substantial number of them must have been sold, because several of them are in collectors' hands. The design hints in the direction of a more or less serial production. Also the size stamp '28' on the platforms confirms this assumption. In the museum depot a further specimen is available with the number '30', of which the curls were sewed off for safety reasons (detail 1b). The numbers indicate the size. 11" and 12½" respectively. The slots for the straps were left open in the runners instead of in the wooden platforms which is quite remarkably (detail 1b and 1c). Manufacturer: Metalco, Nieuwpoort, Belgium; mark: none Technical data: total length: 34 cm; height over ice: 3.5 cm; platforms 28 cm long. 5.5 cm wide; runners: 14 mm tall, 2 mm thick; weight: 250 g Fig.2: Belgian speed skates, about 1900 Well made ice skates, probably by a blacksmith. Nice head (detail 2a). Mind the connection between platform and runner at the heel which is by means of wedge shaped left out in the runner and the bolt that was filed to match this hole (detail 2b). Also mind the circular hole in the platform. It indicates the use of rope for the heel straps which helps to date these ice skates around 1900. Manufacturer: unknown; mark: none Technical data: total length: 31 cm; height over ice: 4 cm; platforms 25 cm long. 5 cm wide; runners: 21 mm tall, 2.5 mm thick; weight: 285 g Fig.3: Belgian speed skates, about 1940 Sturdy, almost clumsy, pair (details 3a and 3b). Most likely the product of a local blacksmith, maybe for his own use. Manufacturer: unknown; mark: none Technical data: total length: 33 cm; height over ice: 4 cm; platforms 25 cm long. 5 cm wide; runners: 14 mm tall, 3 mm thick; weight: 380g	detail 1a detail 1b detail 1c detail 1d detail 2a detail 2b detail 3a detail 3b
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Belgian speed skates

Fig.1: Belgian speed skates, about 1900
The names of three Belgian ice skates makers are known. They did not stamp their name or sign in the runners as was done in the Netherlands for example. This model however quite certainly came from the workshops of Metalworking Métal SC in Nieuwpoort, that used the trademark Métalco. A substantial number of them must have been sold, because several of them are in collectors' hands. The design hints in the direction of a more or less serial production. Also the size stamp '28' on the platforms confirms this assumption. In the museum depot a further specimen is available with the number '30', of which the curls were sewed off for safety reasons (detail 1b). The numbers indicate the size. 11" and 12½" respectively.
The slots for the straps were left open in the runners instead of in the wooden platforms which is quite remarkably (detail 1b and 1c).

Manufacturer: Metalco, Nieuwpoort, Belgium; mark: none
Technical data: total length: 34 cm; height over ice: 3.5 cm; platforms 28 cm long. 5.5 cm wide; runners: 14 mm tall, 2 mm thick; weight: 250 g

Fig.2: Belgian speed skates, about 1900

Well made ice skates, probably by a blacksmith. Nice head (detail 2a). Mind the connection between platform and runner at the heel which is by means of wedge shaped left out in the runner and the bolt that was filed to match this hole (detail 2b). Also mind the circular hole in the platform. It indicates the use of rope for the heel straps which helps to date these ice skates around 1900.

Manufacturer: unknown; mark: none
Technical data: total length: 31 cm; height over ice: 4 cm; platforms 25 cm long. 5 cm wide; runners: 21 mm tall, 2.5 mm thick; weight: 285 g

Fig.3: Belgian speed skates, about 1940

Sturdy, almost clumsy, pair (details 3a and 3b).
Most likely the product of a local blacksmith, maybe for his own use.

Manufacturer: unknown; mark: none
Technical data: total length: 33 cm; height over ice: 4 cm; platforms 25 cm long. 5 cm wide; runners: 14 mm tall, 3 mm thick; weight: 380g

detail 1a

detail 1b

detail 1c

detail 1d

detail 2a

detail 2b

detail 3a

detail 3b