Unusual Folding Stretcher

[Nicholas Studer]

Just picked this up on eBay recently. Looked to be unused.

Has all the hallmarks of being a Bomgardner product with the tan canvas common to that maker. Could also be Washington Mortuary. Never seen one before. Anyone got any ideas? It's not in the 1964 Bomgardner catalog, nor anything like it in the 1963 F-W catalog.

Photos courtesy of the seller.

[John ED Renstrom]

I believe the last time one of these surfaced it was thought it was a removel one why I don't remember.

[Paul Steinberg]

I can see no good reason that a funeral director would want a gurney that had curves in it for removal purposes. It isn't like he is concerned with the comfort of the deceased being transported, only the respect for the deceased.

[John ED Renstrom]

I don't either but that was the concession. Of the discussion as I recall it

[Charles D. Segal]

Although I have never seen a "road cot" with this shape, my best guess is that this prevented the deceased from sliding. These cots were often used on staircases and a common occurrence on a straight cot was sliding.

[John ED Renstrom]

here is the picture of the other one that was talked about. I don't believe it was a folding one or I don't recall that discus ion. so tell me are the smaller pieces so you can make it wider? I gather the whole thing comes apart to go into that bag