World's Oldest and Best Speed Bag platform Antique Narragansett 105+ yrs old!!!

Description

This is a speedbag platform made by the Narragansett Machine Company ("NMC") out of Providence, Rhode Island. NMC started off in 1882, and became the foremost manufacturer/supplier/designer of gymnasiums& exercise equipment in the United States during the late 1800's through early 1900's.
This is an extremely fine example of the "N.M.C. Adjustable Bracket Striking Bag Drum, Model No. 890" and from my exhaustive research THE oldest, most complete, and finest example of the NMC #890 that exists – in the world.
It is unknown exactly how many of these were originally made. They were almost exclusively originally purchased by institutional buyers (high schools, colleges, etc) as part of NMC’s gymnasium designs and others went to individual boxing and fitness gyms. This particular example was installed in Santa Clara High School, Santa Clara, CA. SCHS is California’s oldest high school, founded in 1872.
This particular platform was installed in approximately 1913-1915,and stayed installed until it was taken down when the school was remodeled to modern standards. For 105 +/- years, this held mounted before it was finally taken down for the remodel. The heavy, iconic iron arms have never been removed, as you can see in the closeup photos of the bolts that hold the arm to the main rails. I myself decided that it be best to keep it as I received it,research it, and find it a good home. Included are the original 16 large screws that hold the drum to the arms, as well as nearly all of the original mounting bolting hardware.
Most of these platforms were dismantled and melted down during the 1940's during America's "Scrap Metal Drives” of World War II, because of the large amount of iron that was used in the construction of these platforms. It would have been considered VERY unpatriotic to have 300+ pounds of iron sitting attached to a gym wall while the nation was in the grips of war. Everything at those times was rationed, and valuable metals such as iron were one of the most sought-after to make war materials.
I know of and have researched nearly all of the population that still exists. While a final documented population of “complete” (none have the original striking swivel or bags) NMC #890’s has not officially been registered- my research shows that there are likely less than 6 that have all the main original parts (mounting wood, adjustable middle area, original arms, original adjustment wheel [these tend to be broken], and wood striking drum).
The NMC 890 is considered the finest, most durable, most solid speedbag platform to have ever been made. It has an 18” variable adjustment to the platform height, and yet can still remain solid without vibration - a feat that is still unequaled to this day in any 21
st
century-made platform. The 36” diameter x 3.5” thick drum is constructed of Oak and Maple, (believed to be sourced from local trees close to the Rhode Island area), and displays the high-caliber quality of woodworking that NMC was also known for.
The mounting wood boards appear to be Oak, They are the original wood wall-mounts, and THE only examples of their kind in this size: 50.5” wide x2” thick – SOLID and heavy. This is the only example that I’ve ever seen with this size of original wood mounting boards – 24” wide is the other version that you will find, and those also are rare.
So here it is for sale: the world’s oldest, most complete, most unique,documented, antique boxing striking-bag (speedbag) platform of the greatest ever made - the Narragansett Number 890.
Thank you for reading. I look forward to finding this a great home.
*** Shipping: buyer pays for commercial shipping & insurance. I can also arrange to have this privately delivered. Item is too large & heavy to calculate on the stock shipping calculator here ***