GRANVILLE Posted 25 June , 2012 Share Posted 25 June , 2012 I thought I'd give this a specific thread of its own. Anyone into the subject of boots may well have spotted already that some of us have been looking into getting top plates reproduced. Because I know Wm Lennons who make the boots, I've liased with them on the subject. They confirm no one makes an authentic copy otherwise they would fit them. They have put me onto a foundry that makes all the metalwork that they do use on their boots and the foundry has indicated that if they had a pattern to work to they would be able to reproduce the plates. I've now supplied the company concerned with a drawing and 1 -1 scale templates from which they have confirmed they can make a pattern etc. The other day I got this from the company concerned: Hi David, I have finally talked with the pattern maker about the toe and heel plates. He will be able to use the template you have given. I have asked that he smooths out the curves, otherwise he will make the pattern to the template shape and size. The cost of the patterns are a bit more than I expected. They are £100 each (plus VAT). The price for the finished goods will be £1.50 per pair (plus VAT), based on orders of 100 pairs - minimum order. I have conveyed this back to Wm Lennons, but after consideration they feel the start-up costs are too high for them and so they are not inclined to take the matter further. I will be explaining this to the foundry, who might just reduce their costs slightly - I don't know yet, but in all this I am nothing more than a link between boot maker and foundry acting on behalf of anyone with an interest in the subject; I have my own business to run and too many other commitments. The bottom line appears to be that unless someone wants to get commercially involved in this subject, I can see it will be highly unlikely toe plates will ever become available for these boots so all I can do is throw this out to the readership to see if it strikes a cord with anyone. Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wardog Posted 25 June , 2012 Share Posted 25 June , 2012 I thought it might well turn out like this Dave. You have done all you can. You took the horse to water etc, etc. Regards, Paul. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GRANVILLE Posted 26 June , 2012 Author Share Posted 26 June , 2012 Indeed, it's pretty much what I too suspected might happen. I've conveyed back to the foundry that Wm Lennon's might be more inclined if the set-up costs could be reduced & am still awaiting a reply, but if there is no movement then I think it's not going to happen. Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wardog Posted 27 June , 2012 Share Posted 27 June , 2012 You've had a good try with this Dave. I feel, perhaps, I left it in your lap. If you should need a pair of the plain arch type for your own boots in the future PM me and I'll send you a pair. Didn't see why I should send a company a pair for free, but you deserve them. Regards Paul. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GRANVILLE Posted 27 June , 2012 Author Share Posted 27 June , 2012 You've had a good try with this Dave. I feel, perhaps, I left it in your lap. If you should need a pair of the plain arch type for your own boots in the future PM me and I'll send you a pair. Didn't see why I should send a company a pair for free, but you deserve them. Regards Paul. Very kind offer Paul, but the bizarre thing is I'm not seeking to get myself any toe plates! All of my kit is on dispaly now in a local museum and I don't see it from one month to the next! Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hatrick Posted 28 July , 2012 Share Posted 28 July , 2012 Dave, Thanks for all of your efforts on this. Was the pattern you sent them the one I emailed you? If it was that exact size, I would be willing to pitch in for 10 sets of the M-type toe plates if that helps at all. Thanks, Eric Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GRANVILLE Posted 28 July , 2012 Author Share Posted 28 July , 2012 It was Eric. Taff Gillingham has the pattern & measurements currently as I approached him and he has indicated he will try and take it up with someone he knows. Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sean_Featherstone Posted 3 October , 2012 Share Posted 3 October , 2012 Have you approached firms that do laser cutting etc? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GRANVILLE Posted 3 October , 2012 Author Share Posted 3 October , 2012 Hi mechett. I haven't made any other approaches in connection with this one. To me, to be right they would have to be made as per the originals i.e. cast. They could easily be made if there was the will, but from the manufacturers point of view they seem unwilling to step out and make a mould and make them available unless someone stumps up the costs of doing do in the first place. From the enthusiast’s point of view, why would they want to do that when in the long term it will be the manufacturer who reaps the benefits? This would not arise if some sort of business partnership is put in place but unless you have someone wanting to run a small business venture dealing in WW1 boot plates this is also unlikely to happen and I have to admit I have no inclination to do so. Dave Upton Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keith Bartlett Posted 13 October , 2012 Share Posted 13 October , 2012 Hi Dave If Taff doesn't come up trumps, let me know. While I'd rather not get into re-enactment supply again, and I suspect that SoF will reproduce them as soon as someone takes the plunge, it seems a shame not to complete the B5s if the only obstacle is start-up cost. My group would probably take at least 50 pairs straight away, so could possibly absorb the start-up costs. It's certainly worth looking at. Cheers Keith Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chief_Chum Posted 14 October , 2012 Share Posted 14 October , 2012 Hi Keith, A firm order for 50 pairs might be enough to make them worth doing. I'll go back to our suppliers and see what they say. Cheers, Taff Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keith Bartlett Posted 14 October , 2012 Share Posted 14 October , 2012 Hi Taff PM sent ... sounds like a plan. Cheers Keith Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Zieminski Posted 14 October , 2012 Share Posted 14 October , 2012 Taff I think that The Queen's Own could add a modest order of 10 pairs if it helps! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chief_Chum Posted 15 October , 2012 Share Posted 15 October , 2012 Watch this space fellas. I will let you know what our suppliers say... Cheers, Taff Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hatrick Posted 21 October , 2012 Share Posted 21 October , 2012 As noted before, I am in for 10 pairs. Thanks, Eric Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Zieminski Posted 10 November , 2012 Share Posted 10 November , 2012 Taff Any feedback from your Suppliers on this yet? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chief_Chum Posted 10 November , 2012 Share Posted 10 November , 2012 Hi Peter, Nothing positive so far. Because we need these in different sizes, so far, no manufacturer is interested in making small enough runs to make them cheap enough for us to have made. We will keep trying. Cheers, Taff Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GRANVILLE Posted 10 November , 2012 Author Share Posted 10 November , 2012 This is exactly what I came up againts and I would refer the reader back to post #1 to see some of the sums involved. David Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chief_Chum Posted 30 July , 2016 Share Posted 30 July , 2016 I'm sure you all have them now but we have sourced a small stock of original toe plates at long last... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GRANVILLE Posted 31 July , 2016 Author Share Posted 31 July , 2016 A great find as these are as rare as hen's teeth now. I actually dropped on a modest quantity myself some months ago. The next challenge are the nails and actually getting them on securely as to do the job right the boot needs to go onto a cobblers last so that they can be nailed on securely. A decent traditional cobblers ought to be able to do this but they may well have a problem with the nails which obviously have rectangular heads and of a suitable length. They are out there but not sure where. If anyone gets really stuck I can give a plug for Wm. Lennons again as they fixed mine on and as with all their work, have done a first rate job. David Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tomo.T Posted 1 August , 2016 Share Posted 1 August , 2016 Hi David, The rectangular nails are available for the heel plates which are still produced for Army ammo boots, they just need cutting down and re pointing to about 1/2 ". An easy job with clippers and a file. I found a suitable boot last on ebay and did the job myself. Most satisfying. I have also converted my Lennons to the lesser studded sole variety ( suitable for Drivers MT) using 1/2" panel pins for the rows of nails. I also found a solution for the rather tight uppers on Lennons boots, they only make a medium width which is not good for high insteps or wide feet. After 10 or so miles of painful and fruitless breaking in, I gave up and bought a " Vamp Raiser" from America. This was an expensive tool but I could find no equivalent in this country. After two days stretching in each boot I now have a comfortable fit with no gap between the laces. The boots are transformed and my feet are extremely grateful. Tomo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tomo.T Posted 1 August , 2016 Share Posted 1 August , 2016 Heel plate nails available here, http://www.leatherandgrindery.com/Army-Heel-Plates-Nails ?keyword=Heel plate nails The toe plate nails have slotted heads and are not suitable. Tomo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chief_Chum Posted 2 August , 2016 Share Posted 2 August , 2016 On 7/31/2016 at 19:48, GRANVILLE said: A great find as these are as rare as hen's teeth now. I actually dropped on a modest quantity myself some months ago. The next challenge are the nails and actually getting them on securely as to do the job right the boot needs to go onto a cobblers last so that they can be nailed on securely. A decent traditional cobblers ought to be able to do this but they may well have a problem with the nails which obviously have rectangular heads and of a suitable length. They are out there but not sure where. If anyone gets really stuck I can give a plug for Wm. Lennons again as they fixed mine on and as with all their work, have done a first rate job. David They certainly seem to be. After all that negotiating to have them made there was no way I was going to let these go! They were not cheap but, ultimately, were less than it would have cost to have them made! . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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