Objects Database

Nailed Leather Boots

Accession Number

419.2008.1

Object Name

Nailed Leather Boots

Created

20/11/2008

Creator

Hermione Cooper

Accession Date

20/11/2008

Brief Description

Walking boots with metal studded leather soles. Metal eye holes with braided cotton laces. Inner canvas gaiter with metal buckle ties and leather straps. Leather loops on back.

Materials

leather, metal, canvas

Dimensions

30(l) x 11(w) x 18(h) cms.

Number Of Objects

1 pair

Colour

brown

Provenance

Hobnailed boots is the general term applied to boots with lumps of metal in the bottom though mountaineers tend to use the term ‘nailed boots’.
Nailed boots have been around since man learned how to make iron. The Roman armies had them and Alpine herdsmen used them to get grip on the steep grassy slopes.
Nailed boots were universal among the early mountaineers and a variety of different nails were invented to cope with the different styles of mountaineering.
The hob - as in hobnails - was a simple round headed stud which developed into a triple hob which we see in the centre of the heel and sole on these boots. There’s a row of clinkers right around the edge and the nailer has put four No 1 tricounis under the instep - not sure why!
These are a classic, well worn, pair of 1950’s nailed boots which unfortunately have no maker’s name.
They are one of several pairs Mick Tighe collected along the way.

Acquisition Method

Donated by Mick Tighe

Acquisition Date

20/11/2008

Condition Check Date

28/04/2009

Rules

Spectrum : UK Museum documentation standard, V.3.1 2007

Modified

28/04/2009

Go Back