In the late 19th century, personal safety for women in London often depended on discreet ingenuity. Among the tools developed at the time were self-defense gloves fitted with small metal spikes or sharpened studs sewn into the fingers and knuckles. Designed for close contact, the gloves could inflict pain or injury if an attacker grabbed a woman’s arm or clothing, creating a moment to break free and escape.
These gloves reflected the realities of urban life during the era—crowded streets, poor lighting, limited policing, and frequent assaults, particularly in working-class neighborhoods. Requiring no formal training and wearable as part of everyday dress, they represented an early form of practical self-protection, adapted to a society where women were often left to safeguard themselves.
Source: @therealnurtle
