Not sure if manufacturers used anything else but real rubber on saws older than whenever, not a clue, but I'm sure it would be documented on OWWM
if not here.
I only have interest in capable saws in which I can move really...well, I might be partial to having interest in some of the larger Italian saws with foolproof designs also,
as most make/made a good range of sizes.
and of the lighter weight Wadkin's, two flavours of 500mm wheels look moveable and very decent to me, though largely the same design as we see today compared.
Certainly not something to dismiss IMO.
$_86.jpg
https://i.postimg.cc/FsDmHvJp/86.jpg
Tom