Is Jenny Lind A Style or a Brand

by karen
(USA)

I am trying to find two replacement forged eye bolts for an older Jenny Lind-style swinging cradle, but I am having trouble determining exactly what I need and where to look for it.


For general reference, you can see current parts in inventory.

The eye bolts appear to be about 3/8 inch in diameter and approximately 6 inches long. I also need the correct washers and nuts for both bolts. These are not decorative pieces. They serve as the pivot points that allow the cradle bed to swing within its stationary frame.

What Kind of Eye Bolts Do I Need?

I believe I need closed-eye forged bolts rather than ordinary bent or open eye bolts. Because these bolts support the swinging portion of the cradle, I do not want to choose replacements simply because they look close to the missing hardware.

When I started looking online, I discovered that eye bolts can be described by several different measurements. A seller may list the thread size, shank diameter, shank length, threaded length, overall length, inside diameter of the eye and whether the bolt has a shoulder.

The closest description I have found is a 3/8-16 forged machinery eye bolt with a 6-inch shank. However, I do not know whether the original cradle used a fully threaded or partially threaded bolt. I am also unsure whether the 6-inch measurement should refer to the shank alone or the entire bolt, including the eye.

I do not know whether the bolts should have shoulders or whether the pivot design requires plain eye bolts without shoulders. I am also uncertain about the correct washers, nuts, bushings or spacers. I would like to reproduce the original assembly rather than create my own arrangement.

Is Jenny Lind a Style or a Crib Brand?

Part of my confusion is the name Jenny Lind. I originally thought Jenny Lind might be the manufacturer of the cradle. After reading more about the traditional Jenny Lind crib, it appears that Jenny Lind is primarily the name of a furniture style recognized by its rows of turned wooden spindles.

Different companies have manufactured Jenny Lind-style cribs, beds and cradles. This means that searching for “Jenny Lind cradle eye bolts” may not lead me to the original hardware unless I can also identify the manufacturer and model.

I have looked through the information about Jenny Lind crib replacement parts, but I am not certain that crib hardware and swinging cradle hardware would be interchangeable.

The examples on the Jenny Lind crib makeover page have also helped me understand the appearance of the furniture, although my immediate problem is finding the correct pivot hardware rather than refinishing the wood.

Where Should I Look for Replacement Cradle Hardware?

I am wondering whether I should take the cradle, photographs and measurements to an industrial fastener supplier rather than an ordinary home improvement store. A machine shop, rigging supplier or specialty hardware company may be more familiar with forged eye bolts and may be able to explain the differences between the available designs.

I have also reviewed the general information about baby crib parts and replacement hardware. I understand why locating the manufacturer, model number and original instructions is preferable to guessing.

If anyone recognizes this type of swinging cradle pivot, I would appreciate guidance about the following details:

Is a 3/8-16 forged eye bolt with a 6-inch shank the correct term to use when contacting a fastener supplier?

Should a cradle pivot eye bolt have a shoulder?

Would the original assembly normally use flat washers, lock washers, locknuts, bushings or spacers?

Where can I purchase only two bolts with the matching nuts and washers rather than a large commercial package?

Is there a practical way to identify the cradle manufacturer from its spindle pattern, frame construction or remaining hardware?