Boots

[barrieduncan]

I've been following the thread on the replica B5 boots with great interest, as we're looking to source a pair of old army boots for an exhibition (thanks for all the suggestions by the way). I didn't want to hi-jack the other thread but if a mod wishes it moved to there, please do so.

I was somewhat surprised that we didn't appear to have any boots in the collection - certainly none turned up in a database search. I came across these yesterday in one of our costume stores, in amongst all the uniforms (kid in a sweetshop!). They don't look exactly like the boots in the other thread, but there are some similarities. I was wondering if anyone could offer up a rough date of when they might have been made/worn. The soles dont appear to have the same studs as the B5 boots in the other thread, but there is a metal protector on the heel.

Would be extremely grateful for any information anyone can offer.

Thanks

Barrie

[wainfleet]

Barrie

Apart from the toecap, the construction is similar to the other ranks' B2 boot of the first half of the war, and this is quite typical of officers' boots of the period. I would guess they are WW1. Officers' boots, unlike those of other ranks, have survived in greater numbers than you might think.

Best wishes

W

[barrieduncan]

Wainfleet,

Thanks very much for the quick response. It's just unfortunate there are no records of where they came from or who they belonged to, but it's good to get an idea of when they were from. They seem to be typical of our uniform collection, hundreds of pieces belonging to officers, very little from the other ranks.

Thanks again

Barrie

[Smithmaps]

Barrie,

I have two identical pairs...Officers boots, all probability WW1. The reason they survive in greater numbers, is that they were private purchase, which meant the officer wore them home. I believe a similar pattern was worn by officers inn WW2 also, so no guarantee of dates. Officers boots (if he was well off) were often hand crafted, and of finer quality.

O/R boots of course were Govt property and handed back, and were later re issued, maybe between the wars or even WW2 or sold to other armies. Sooner of later sold as suplus and used and abused as work boots.

Guy

[barrieduncan]

Guy,

Thanks for the information. These boots do feel well made, although they were obviously well worn as the soles are pretty knackered. I'm not too concerned about an exact date - the period is close enough to be able to use them in the way I had hoped.

Thanks for the help folks, much appreciated

Barrie

[Andrew Upton]

O/R boots of course were Govt property and handed back, and were later re issued, maybe between the wars or even WW2 or sold to other armies. Sooner of later sold as suplus and used and abused as work boots.

I'm almost 100% certain this is incorrect, for WW1 at least. I believe boots were part of the kit which became a soldiers personal property after he was issued a pair (although they had to be maintained as would normal kit) and allowed to retain them apon demobilization. They are rarely seen since they were perfectly good work boots, and so would have been used until worn out in civilian use.

[Smithmaps]

I'm almost 100% certain this is incorrect, for WW1 at least. I believe boots were part of the kit which became a soldiers personal property after he was issued a pair (although they had to be maintained as would normal kit) and allowed to retain them apon demobilization. They are rarely seen since they were perfectly good work boots, and so would have been used until worn out in civilian use.

I stand corrected. Very interesting.

Guy

[Gijoe]

Looks lvery similar to the US Marching Shoes

http://www.whatpriceglory.com/pic/1904shoe2.jpg

http://www.oryansroughnecks.org/uniforms.html

[barrieduncan]

Thanks for the links Gijoe, they do look very similar. The soles are quite different though (foolishly I didn't photograph the soles) and the pair we have have hooks instead of the last three eyelets.

Thanks

Barrie