51/120

A spade iron was fastened to the underside of a boot to protect the footwear during hard digging, particularly digging potatoes. It consists of a piece of iron with leather straps that go over the boot to hold it in place. The donor obtained this spade iron, which is of a considerable age, from Bangrove Farm in Gloucestershire.

1 spade iron: metal [iron] and leather; fair condition

MERL list / description [Massingham Collection, October 1989] – 'ACC. NO.: 51/120 // NAME: SPADE IRON // NEG NO.: 35/88 // STORAGE: P. Ex. [Permanent Exhibition] Cultivating.', MERL 'Catalogue index' card – 'SPADE IRON // DATE ACQUIRED: January, 1951 // GROUP: Cultivating - ['Digging' scored through] // NEGATIVE: 35/88 // PERIOD: Unknown // PLACE OF ORIGIN: The H.J. Massingham Collection // NUMBER: 51/120M // DESCRIPTION: Mr. Massingham obtained this spade iron from Bangrove farm (Glos.). It was fastened to the instep of the right foot by means of a strap that goes over the boot. It was a means of saving footwear during hard digging, particularly digging of potatoes. This specimen is of considerable age, but spade irons are still in use today in some parts of England. // It consists of a piece of iron 5.75 inches long by 3.25 inches wide, with a small tongue projecting upwards on both sides to which two pieces of leather are riveted. There are holes punched in the top of the leathers, so that the iron can be tight to the boot.‘