Miners knee pads

[grahamgeorge]

Hi,

Thanks for accepting me into the group, I am from South Wales, an ex Miner and collector. I am trying to get information on the early miners knee pads, I wonder if anyone knows what form the early pad took? I have recently seen what was described as a miners knee pad, it was a 4" inch square metal/iron plate with a lug each side with leather straps attached. Looks really old and well worn, from North Wales. I was wondering if it is genuine and was used as such?

Thank you in advance.

[John]

Early knee "pads" sewn in cloth at the knees of trousers was a common one.

[fortythreesflyer]

I can remember when I first started the knee pads were made of old belting riveted at the upturn.

[grahamgeorge]

This is a photograph of the item that was described as an early knee pad, the seller said the other one was lost long ago. If it's not a knee protector of some sort, anyone knows what it could be? The plate is 4" inches square, one leather strap is about 15" inches and the other 6" inches. 

[dazbt]

Jan 10, 2018 16:08:29 GMT -5 grahamgeorge said:

This is a photograph of the item that was described as an early knee pad, the seller said the other one was lost long ago. If it's not a knee protector of some sort, anyone knows what it could be? The plate is 4" inches square, one leather strap is about 15" inches and the other 6" inches. 

View Attachment

Carpet fitters' knee pads, think called "kickers" possibly ?

[John]

Never seen anything like those. I don't think they are carpet fitters tools Daz, they have had a "kicker" for years, nothing like those though.
The item in the photo, is it really used on the knees?

[John]

Just a thought, could it be an attachment to fit on the sole of a boot??

[dazbt]

Jan 11, 2018 10:38:30 GMT -5 John said:

Just a thought, could it be an attachment to fit on the sole of a boot??

Could be right there J, would be a bit harsh on the old patella unless it had been padded, could well be a poor mans crampon (not quite yer Eiger White Spider tackle) but might get yer ter pit on a deeply frosty February morning.

[John]

Just a guess Daz, but would fit perfectly, can't see any other use for it.

[fortythreesflyer]

Could it be anything to do with the pit ponies? just another guess.

[grahamgeorge]

Thanks all, much appreciated, I did purchase the object, only a fiver but didn't want to add it to my collection without knowing what it/they really were, could have been used for. I have attached another 2 images, back and front.

[merlin]

the pit I worked the mice had kneepads

[John]

Apr 30, 2020 11:25:20 GMT -5 merlin said:

the pit I worked the mice had kneepads

I was spoiled after I left the NCB, minimum height I worked in was six foot at one of BG's mines, then 15 foot at Boulby, then 10 to 12 foot in the two NSW collieries, crawling was a distant memory, thank God!!