Need help identifying these unusual oars

[Chuck Cossaboom]

The Norumbega Chapter is trying to assist the Charles River Museum of Industry and Innovation with their canoe and boat related artifacts.
The attached photo or a pair or oars in their collection, cast into the cross member is MFD AT MIDDLEFIELD CONN.
The oars mechanism has two ball swivels which I assume mount to the gunnel.
I have never seen anything like this and would appreciate any information.

 

[Andre Cloutier]

Looks like the ol' forward facing rowing contraption, modern versions exist as well

 

[Chuck Cossaboom]

Thanks someone just sent me something.
https://smallboatsmonthly.com/article/forward-facing-rowing-system/

 

[Ben Fuller]

These wander through the antique community from time to time. Chief market as I recall was in areas where there were lots of snags, drowned trees. A little web research may pin them down more, or a trip to the patent office web site.

 

[Ben Fuller]

Have a look for Reel Foot Lake stump boats, my aging mind just kicked in.

 

[Chuck Cossaboom]

Thanks
Ill check it out,

 

[Sandon or Sandy]

Chuck, my great uncle had in the 1920s several skiffs with these types of oars, forward facing. This was on Fox Lake about 55 miles NW of Chicago. Quite common there at the time. I have some pictures somewhere. I could look if you like. They were on skiffs, though, not on canoes.