The block has six .5" X 28" threaded steel rods that travers the width of the block and are covered by maple plugs. They help hold the block together with nuts and washers covered by the plugs (see picture). The side is stamped with THE "APPLETON" MAPLE BLOCK and a metal tag shows that Farwell, Ozmun, Kirk and Co. is the distributor for this block. The legs are all original and the darker stains on the feet are from decades of dirt, grime and blood from the floor. The top is naturally contoured as a result of decades of meat carving. I retained the original cleaver and knife marks. Having grown up in MN I know that Farwell sold all kinds of hardware, furniture, guns, etc. starting in the early 1900's. Some of their warehouses survive today. GO to http://www.thehealthyfeetstore.com/ to see pictures. Thanks!
