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Spade iron fastened to the underside of the boot to protect the footwear during digging. Belonged to a drainer, Staunton, Glos. prior to 1920.
A spade iron was fastened to the underside of the boot to protect the footwear during hard digging and to provide a solid surface on which to push. This spade iron belonged to a professional drainer in Staunton, Gloucestershire, and was used prior to 1920.

1 spade iron: metal and leather

MERL 'Handwritten accession' form (Museum of English Rural Life) – 'SPADE IRON // Description // Small rectangular metal plate with side pieces to which are rivetted leather straps. There is the remains of a thong used to tie the iron to the foot. // Dimensions // Length: 14.5cm Width: 9.5cm. // Associated information // This spade iron came from Stauton, Gloucestershire where it was used by a man who was a professional drainer. // Date used: Prior to 1920', MERL miscellaneous note - '62/262, 3, 4 Drainage foot-plates. // Three different sizes. From Stanton, Gloucestershire. // These were in use before 1920, and were part of the equipment of an old man who was a professional drainer.'

1920