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Vintage 1930s 40s Snocraft Bearpaw Wood Snowshoes Norway Maine USA Lea - $150 (Whitmore Lake)
merrill near Strawberry Lake
condition:
good
make / manufacturer:
Snocraft
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DESCRIPTION
Price is per pair. Sold as shown.
A beautiful vintage pair of Snocraft Inc. snowshoes, made in Norway, Maine, USA, perfect for wall display, cabin décor, or collectors. These mid-20th-century Bearpaw-style wooden snowshoes feature original rawhide webbing in excellent vintage condition, leather footbeds that wrap your shoe, brass fasteners, and the classic embossed maker’s mark.
• Embossed in the wood: “Snocraft Inc. Norway Maine USA”
• Serial number: 34298
• Dimensions: 28.5″ long × 13″ wide
• Weight: 5.5 lbs for the pair
• Features: One has the original leather pull-on strap; the other as shown
• Condition: Rawhide webbing intact and sturdy, leather footbeds original and well-preserved, frames show natural patina consistent with age
• Stored in: nonsmoking, pet-free home
HISTORICAL NOTE / PERSONAL CONNECTION
These snowshoes belonged to my father, who was in the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in Seney, Michigan, in the late 1930s to early 1940s, and then served in World War II. While I cannot confirm for sure they were used during his CCC service, the timing and style match the era of mid-century Bearpaw-style Snocraft snowshoes, giving them a meaningful historical connection.
• Style: Bearpaw — short, wide design for maneuverability in wooded or hilly terrain
• Likely era of manufacture: 1940s–1950s
IMPORTANT NOTES FOR BUYERS
• Please view all photos carefully for condition details
• Ask for additional pictures if desired — happy to provide them
HISTORY & DATING
• Manufacturer: Snocraft Inc., Norway, Maine — part of the region long known as the “Snowshoe Capital of the World”
• Snocraft was founded in 1938 in Norway, Maine, and became one of the major snowshoe manufacturers in the U.S.
• It supplied snowshoes for government and recreational use, including production during World War II when snowshoes were needed for winter training (notably by some units such as the 10th Mountain Division).
• The company changed hands around 1950, when Garland Manufacturing acquired the business, and continued producing snowshoes (and other winter gear) for some years after.
• Likely production: 1930s–1940s
• Design: Compact adult/recreational size, ideal for maneuvering in wooded or hilly terrain
• Significance: Mid-century Snocraft snowshoes are highly collectible and sought after for vintage décor or as historical pieces
HIGHLIGHTS
• Authentic Snocraft Inc., Norway Maine craftsmanship
• Bearpaw style, leather footbeds, and rawhide webbing in excellent vintage condition
• Compact 28.5″ size makes them ideal for display or collection
• Light weight — 5.5 lbs for the pair
• Personal historical connection: owned by my father, who served in the CCC and WWII
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