Objects Database

Fox's Puttees

Accession Number

1463.2018.1

Object Name

Fox's Puttees

Created

11/10/2018

Creator

Hermione Cooper

Accession Date

11/10/2018

Brief Description

2 rolls of khaki Puttees

Materials

wool

Dimensions

10(W) cms

Number Of Objects

1 pair

Inscription Description

On label " FOX WELLINGTON SOMERSET "FIP" PATENT 14214-1909"
On button "L FOX"

Colour

khaki

Maker

Fox Brothers

Object Production Place

UK

Provenance

It seems that folk have been wrapping pieces of cloth around the lower part of their legs for centuries, as a protection against various things such as water, leeches, brambles and boulders etc.
The word puttee comes from the Hindi language meaning a bandage or strip of cloth, and it seems that British soldiers serving in India during the second half of the nineteenth century adopted puttees as part of their uniform, an idea that was replicated across several of the world’s armies for at least another century.
Mountaineers required similar protection for their legs and the fabulous picture opposite shows members of the 1924 Everest expedition sporting a wonderful array of lower leg wear including puttees.
Fox Brothers entered the wool industry in 1772 and were a thriving company by the time the war department saw need for puttee material - during World War One they produced 852 miles of khaki coloured cloth for military puttees. Mountaineers and skiers were another market for the Fox Brothers and they also mangaged to develop the brand into a fashion item, an idea that reappears from time to time in the world of designer fashion.
So the rather small pair of Fox Puttees we have here in the collection have a large history. We found this particular pair in an old rucksack but unfortunately, don’t know who the previous owner was - so thanks in absentia!
PS a pair of Fox’s Puttees can still be bought in 2018 for around £35/40.

Acquisition Date

11/10/2018

Condition Check Date

11/10/2018

Rules

Spectrum : UK Museum documentation standard, V.3.1 2007

Modified

11/10/2018

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