The pommel horse is a familiar item in the gymnastics world, though its original purpose was to aid soldiers in training to mount and dismount horses. This horse was manufactured by the Narragansett Machine Company, which was founded around 1880 in Providence, RI. It is a standard pommel with a solid base and the configuration for raising and lowering the horse appears to be an earlier style than what was pictured in the 1905 catalog for the company, most likely dating it to the late 19th century. The handle bases are solid brass and the maker’s mark is clearly visible on the base. A great piece of early gymnastic equipment.
