Paddy 60th Posted 1 December , 2007 Share Posted 1 December , 2007 Have had my William Lennon made replica B5 boots for a couple of weeks now and have walked about 12 miles in them. They are really well made and supremely comfortable- I can highly recommend them. See www.wiliamlennon.co.uk for details. At £135 they are not the cheapest boots around but bear in mind that they are handmade to order from top quality leather and are very authentic. Whilst on the subject of boots does anyone know how many different patterns were issued during the war? Roger. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GRANVILLE Posted 1 December , 2007 Share Posted 1 December , 2007 Having been directly involved in helping Lennon's produce these boots, this posting is really good to read, and will be brought to the attention of Dan who actually makes them. Should anyone have not read previous postings on the subject, what you are getting here are truly authentic boots, handmade to original pattern, in workshops from where the boots were actually made during The First World War, by the same company! Considerable time was spent sourcing the correct grade of leather, and making sure the product was going to meet the exacting standards of those who require to wear them. It would appear that their efforts have paid off. On behalf of Dan and the team at Lennon's, many thanks for the positive feedback. David Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
montbrehain Posted 2 December , 2007 Share Posted 2 December , 2007 Any chance of a few photos ? "MO" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GRANVILLE Posted 2 December , 2007 Share Posted 2 December , 2007 You can view the boots at www.williamlennon.co.uk. Note their appearance distinctly alters once polish or dubbin is applied. I undertook to break in the first sample pair, onto which they applied a rubber heel so that I could wear them on a daily basis to work. Lennon's have taken pictures of them, but have still not put them onto their website as was proposed. I'll get copies &/or take some more pictures of the boots (which I'm still making use of weeks later), and post them indue course. David Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
manchester terrier Posted 2 December , 2007 Share Posted 2 December , 2007 I've been following Granvilles posts of the boot saga. May I suggest an illustrated "boot blog" or, even better, a video diary of boot ownership and use posted on Youtube. A potential storyboard could be: 1) the anticipation of ownership 2) excitement on arrival of boots, unpacking etc 3) first wearing in the house, checking yourself out in the mirror etc 4) the dilemmas of a first public wearing, eg: "to puttee or not to puttee, that is the question", "do my feet look big in these?" dubbin or polish? 5) the first "route march", aka "popping down the shops", the crunch of hobnail on pavement 6) a proper "breaking in", the "boot Stig" goes up hill and down dale 7) the aftermath, "Marge, wheres your foot spa!!" 8) the happy owner, relaxed in front of the fire with a single malt, tells us of his satisfaction at owning a pair of William Lennons handcrafted boots Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paddy 60th Posted 2 December , 2007 Author Share Posted 2 December , 2007 What a great idea 'Manchester Terri' - I'll try and find my videocam and get filming! My Son's band has a You Tube listing - wait till I tell him I'm also on there. Better still I could really embarrass him by adding my video diary to the band site !! Seriously though I'll add some pics of my boots shortly. Roger. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paddy 60th Posted 2 December , 2007 Author Share Posted 2 December , 2007 Any chance of a few photos ? "MO" Pics of the boots as promised. The rubber heel tips (Wilkinsons Stores £1.59 ) over the heel irons were added by me - saves disturbing the neighbours! At this stage I haven't applied any polish or dubbing as they haven't been used 'off road' yet. They are just as comfortable as my modern walking boots, if not more so, and need very little breaking in. Roger Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
montbrehain Posted 2 December , 2007 Share Posted 2 December , 2007 Thanks for that .They Look good from what I can see , They seem to have that flat toe look too. I could be tempted . "MO" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paddy 60th Posted 2 December , 2007 Author Share Posted 2 December , 2007 Yes they are made on an original square toe last which Lennons have. The Lennon website has more details. Roger Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
manchester terrier Posted 2 December , 2007 Share Posted 2 December , 2007 Glad you like the idea Roger, I'm sure your son will really appreciate your posting! Thanks for the piccies, the boots look very good and its interesting that you find no great need to break them in.Must say I'm quite tempted by them. Hmmm..... Youtube here I come! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GRANVILLE Posted 2 December , 2007 Share Posted 2 December , 2007 Roger, Don't be affraid to get some polish (or dubbin) on them. If you intend to spend time in a water-logged trench, then you'll want some dubbin, but otherwise, brown polish is the way to go. The transformation is remarkable. It should be remembered that most of the images of troups in the trenches represent men (and boots) which have been to hell & back. You'll find that the more they are worn in, the more the toe end takes it's shape, and I don't think it will be long before someone tries to pass these boots off as originals. Top marks to the wag with the Youtube storyboard suggestion......... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paddy 60th Posted 2 December , 2007 Author Share Posted 2 December , 2007 David Thanks for that advice - it would be good to see a pic of your boots with polish applied. Regards, Roger. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GRANVILLE Posted 2 December , 2007 Share Posted 2 December , 2007 Yes, I'm very sorry & frustrated I can't oblige. I've spoken with Dan, who tells me the picture he took, was not good enough to use on their site, which is why it's never appeared. I've spent some time this evening trying to get my daughters digital camera to work properly, but without success. I propose to revisit Lennon's tomorrow & hopefully we'll get some images which can then go on their site. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wardog Posted 3 December , 2007 Share Posted 3 December , 2007 Do the company sell Great War type toe irons and spare studs? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GRANVILLE Posted 3 December , 2007 Share Posted 3 December , 2007 They certainly carry stocks which are used in the construction of the boots. I would suggest you give Dan a call on 01433-630451, and see if he will oblige. For info: I've been back to their workshops this afternoon, where Dan has again taken pictures of the boots I've been making use of for a few weeks now. He was supposed to email me copies so I could post them on the forum, but I guess he got distracted as I've rec'ed nothing as yet. I can confirm they've taken quite a number of orders; possibly more than were expected so soon, and that they are awaiting a delivery of the particular leather they use. If you've placed an order, be patient, it's worth it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kate Wills Posted 3 December , 2007 Share Posted 3 December , 2007 Whilst on the subject of boots does anyone know how many different patterns were issued during the war? Roger. The book 'Northamptonshire and the Great War' has a short chapter devoted to this subject, including illustrations of boots manufactured for many of our allies. The list of footwear produced for the war effort is topped by Regulation British infantry boot B5 ("the best army boot made") nos 1 and 2 trade pattern, and the book includes a "unique X-ray photo of a B5 boot". The list also includes rope-soled boots for the Tank Corps; African native sandals, and Ski Boots nos 1 and 2. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paddy 60th Posted 3 December , 2007 Author Share Posted 3 December , 2007 Thanks for that info. - I'll try and find a copy of the book. Regards, Roger. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GRANVILLE Posted 4 December , 2007 Share Posted 4 December , 2007 Thanks for that info. - I'll try and find a copy of the book. Regards, Roger. Roger, I've finally got a decent scan of the Lennon boots I have, but when I come to upload the image, the system is telling me the file is too large. I've uploaded images before, so this is a new one on me. Can you, or anyone else advise on how this is overcome? David Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paddy 60th Posted 4 December , 2007 Author Share Posted 4 December , 2007 David As I'm a bit of a 'technophobe' I get my wife to upload pictures for me. We had the same problem as you when I uploaded the pics of my boots. We have a picture editing programme which came with the camera called Nikonview and she was able to downsize the images using this. I dont know if you are trying to upload more than one image at a time - if you are just try one and see if that is still too large. Sorry I can't offer any more advice but I am sure some other Forum member will probably come to your aid. Roger. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GRANVILLE Posted 4 December , 2007 Share Posted 4 December , 2007 Attached are two scans of Wm. Lennon boots. The scan of the sole speaks for itself, and shows how the finished boots are nailed and heeled. The other scan is of the first pair they made using the correct reversed tanned leather. You'll note that they were made with six hole ties, when in fact the finished product is in the correct seven. You'll also note there is no extension of the back-strap, creating a 'pull-up', which you will find on the finished boots, as well as reinforcing rivets on the uppers. These boots have been worn by myself for some weeks now, and have been polished brown. As has already been said they are comfortable, and if we keep going like this, I think they could soon become a fashion essential. David Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daggers Posted 4 December , 2007 Share Posted 4 December , 2007 Two points - 1st, if these were the best ever made for the British Army, why was the spec changed? 2nd, when did toe-caps and studs set 4,4,3,2 become standard (as worn in 1950s)? Daggers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paddy 60th Posted 4 December , 2007 Author Share Posted 4 December , 2007 David Glad you managed to get the pictures on ok. The boots look good with the polish on and I'll probably do the same with mine in due course. Incidentally my boots came with the six hole lacing so anyone ordering them will possibly need to stipulate if they want seven. Roger. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GRANVILLE Posted 4 December , 2007 Share Posted 4 December , 2007 Two points - 1st, if these were the best ever made for the British Army, why was the spec changed? 2nd, when did toe-caps and studs set 4,4,3,2 become standard (as worn in 1950s)? Daggers Whoever said these were the best ever? From a practical point of view they were a complete liability. Drop your mess tin on them and you might just break your toe. The stud work was done at my request as a direct copy of the well known image of the sergeant with 'remarkable feet'. I think you'll find his were about size 13, hence the picture, and it's very hard to get so many studs onto a size 10. I'll leave other experts to expand on boot developement. As regards the number of hole ties, I will take this up with Lennons. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chief_Chum Posted 5 December , 2007 Share Posted 5 December , 2007 "If you intend to spend time in a water-logged trench, then you'll want some dubbin, but otherwise, brown polish is the way to go." Don't polish them brown! At no point was brown polish ever used - just put clear dubbin on them and they will look exactly like the real thing. All the real ones I have had through my hands have the same dark brown look (see picture below). Most impressed with the build quality and I wore a pair on the Khaki Chums' Cambrai Tour last weekend. The boots were comfortable and I was impressed enough to dcide to order a batch from Lennons to sell on via our Khaki Devil website. Don't be mislead by the picture of the Sergeant with the huge feet; he was serving with 1/6th Suffolks - a Cyclist Battalion who saw no overseas service and, as late as 1916, many of them are clearly still wearing civvie boots! I attach a picture of my boots, soaked in dubbin, just back from Cambrai... Taff Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GRANVILLE Posted 5 December , 2007 Share Posted 5 December , 2007 "If you intend to spend time in a water-logged trench, then you'll want some dubbin, but otherwise, brown polish is the way to go." Don't polish them brown! At no point was brown polish ever used - just put clear dubbin on them and they will look exactly like the real thing. All the real ones I have had through my hands have the same dark brown look (see picture below). Most impressed with the build quality and I wore a pair on the Khaki Chums' Cambrai Tour last weekend. The boots were comfortable and I was impressed enough to dcide to order a batch from Lennons to sell on via our Khaki Devil website. Don't be mislead by the picture of the Sergeant with the huge feet; he was serving with 1/6th Suffolks - a Cyclist Battalion who saw no overseas service and, as late as 1916, many of them are clearly still wearing civvie boots! I attach a picture of my boots, soaked in dubbin, just back from Cambrai... Taff Taff, I bow to your greater knowledge on such matters as brown polish v clear dubbin! Do I take it your boots are seven hole ties; they seem to be? Is there any detail you are aware of, which could be attended to to further improve them? David Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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