A boot scraper

Boot scrapers are still available, mostly used for cleaning mud off wellington boots. At Market Lavington Museum, we have one that probably dates from the era of leather boots.

The spike would have been driven into the ground, whilst the other end would have been fastened to a wall or post, ensuring that the scraper was firmly fixed. The boot wearer could then scrape most of the mud from the soles on the central section of the scraper, without needing to bend down.