Post by kalbs on Nov 21, 2009 11:39:09 GMT 8
Low boots:
History
During WW2, the Germans issued their ankle boots in brown or unfinished natural leather. It was up to the troops themselves to blacken the boots. Orders forbidding the blackening of boots were issued in late 1943 and boot black was no longer issued.
German boots of the WWII era were made on a "narrow last" and this is something that is no longer used much. This is why more modern boots just don't give you the right look shown in wartime photos and newsreels. It's also why your foot looks so long and narrow when you put on original boots, even though the boots are marked as your size. These boots feel wider than your modern shoe while at the same time appearing to be more narrow. The long thin look is partly because of the narrowing at the shank (at the arch of your foot). The other reason for the narrow look is that the the last has a "long toe". The toe has a LOT of extra room compared to a modern boots. This was mostly to accommodate the use of footwraps and double socks, but also provides a form of protection to the toe since German ankle boots did not have reinforced or stiff toe boxes as modern boots do. The heel to ball measurement of the boot is the same as for modern boots.
Marching Boots
History
The marching boot (jackboot) was issued in Brown smooth or pebbled upper leather and rough out brown toe section. It was blackened bt the individual soldier using shoe creams and polishes. Boots were issued with metal hobb nails and heel irons. The boot was replaced mid-war by the low boots (See above) to save on leather material which were in low supply.
History
During WW2, the Germans issued their ankle boots in brown or unfinished natural leather. It was up to the troops themselves to blacken the boots. Orders forbidding the blackening of boots were issued in late 1943 and boot black was no longer issued.
German boots of the WWII era were made on a "narrow last" and this is something that is no longer used much. This is why more modern boots just don't give you the right look shown in wartime photos and newsreels. It's also why your foot looks so long and narrow when you put on original boots, even though the boots are marked as your size. These boots feel wider than your modern shoe while at the same time appearing to be more narrow. The long thin look is partly because of the narrowing at the shank (at the arch of your foot). The other reason for the narrow look is that the the last has a "long toe". The toe has a LOT of extra room compared to a modern boots. This was mostly to accommodate the use of footwraps and double socks, but also provides a form of protection to the toe since German ankle boots did not have reinforced or stiff toe boxes as modern boots do. The heel to ball measurement of the boot is the same as for modern boots.
Marching Boots
History
The marching boot (jackboot) was issued in Brown smooth or pebbled upper leather and rough out brown toe section. It was blackened bt the individual soldier using shoe creams and polishes. Boots were issued with metal hobb nails and heel irons. The boot was replaced mid-war by the low boots (See above) to save on leather material which were in low supply.