http://yarchive.net/bike/flat_tires.html
Tire savers, the little gizmos that drag on the tire just ahead of the
brake bridge on the rear tire, serve to fill your shoes and socks with
road dirt every time the road is even slightly moist. I think you'll
not find them generally available in bicycle shops for that reason.
Besides, I am convinced they are useless. I think they had their
heyday in the 1940's or there abouts.