The Scottish Mountain Heritage Collection
696.2008.1
Truger (bear paw) Snowshoes
15/12/2008
Hermione Cooper
15/12/2008
Ex WD Truger or Bear Paw Snowshoes. Wooden kidney shaped frame with rope crisscrossed through metal rings. Canvas rectangle for below foot and canvas fastening webbing with metal buckle.
wood, canvas, metal
47(l) x 24(w) x 4(d) cms.
1 pair
"RMD" handwritten in ink on both.
brown, cream
"Truger snow shoes are issued to all men operating in snow. They are used with the ordinary hard-nailed boot, are attached to the soles of the boots and are large enough to prevent the boots from sinking deeply into the snow. They can be used in all types of snow except in very soft, deep snow, for which special types of snowshoes are essential"
The above paragraph is from an Air Ministry pamphlet dated February 1946 and goes on to say-
" The Truger is oval in shape and of an average size of 10 by 18 inches. The framework is of wood and the mesh of thick tarred string on to which is attached a strong canvas foot pad. The binding consists of four metal rings attached to the mesh, a webbing heel loop and a strap about 4ft long on one end of which is a quick release buckle."
Vast amounts of ex- military gear was sold off after the war, to be snapped up by outdoor folk at a time when there were few, if any, gear shops. Shops like Campbells(see advert opposite) specialised in ex- military gear and this pair may well have come from there since they were donated by old Aberdonian friend, Pete Nicol.
This pair were bought by Rhona Weir for a few shillings at the Glasgow 'Barras' in the 1950's when much ex WD gear was available. She used them to walk/shoe through the Laraig Ghru.
"Snow shoes require less skill to use than skis, and the speed of men trained in their use is approximately that of men marching under normal conditions. In soft snow, particularly in forests, snowshoes are more effective than skis, the latter being liable to sink deep into the snow and catch in the undergrowth. Snowshoes are better for breaking a wide trail. They should not be worn with a snow cover of less than 3", but, unless skis are worn, they will be essential for snow of more than a foot in depth.
Truger snowshoes are issued to all men operating in snow. They are used with the ordinary hard nailed boot, are attached to the soles of the boots and are large enough to prevent the boots from sinking deeply into the snow. They can be used in all types of snow except in very soft and deep snow, for which special types of snowshoes are essential."
from 'Living Below Zero' 1946
Donated by Pete Nicol
15/12/2008
28/04/2009
Spectrum : UK Museum documentation standard, V.3.1 2007
28/04/2009