Boots

[Pennvolunteer]

I am looking at purchasing a pair of boots, and in doing the research have found several photos of artillery crews wearing boots, particularly the attached photo with what appear to be stove-pipe boots about half-way to the knee. (picture attached)

I was going to go to Robert Serio and have him make me a pair of 12 inch boots, but found Fugawee Corporation, (picture attached) who makes a boot modeled after an original and citing, "See Uniform Regs 1851/1861. Also see :

..Dress regulations throughout the period ... mention only the "ankle boot" and the "Jefferson boot." Both types were prescribed for officers and the mounted service....It can be concluded that the ankle boot was a medium height riding boot without lacing and otherwise called a 'half boot..' "Since the mounted man's boot (if he wore such instead of bootees) were, by regulation, covered by his trousers.........they must have been of the Wellington pattern."


From: American Military Equipage 1851-1872 The Company of Military Historians-Providence, R.I......

I have also looked in EOG, and they have what is described as an "Infantry boot", but doesn't match. Finally, I have examined an 1865 Winslow Homer painting of "Army boots", and these appear to be stove piped as opposed to the boots Fugawee has, and a little taller.

I am looking for anyone who can clarify or expand on what I have found on the correct boot, and also, if anyone has any experience with Fugawee or this boot?

[westcoastcampaigner]

Re: Boots

Three words...stick with Serio.

Josh Sawyer
Liberty Rifles
Hardtack Society

[J.H.Berger]

Re: Boots

Have a look at Robert Land 's boot. They make a pretty well impression on the pictures but of course you have to see them. Forget about his heel plates. U shape not correct should be more like a horse shoe.

[Curt Schmidt]

Re: Boots

Hallo!

IMHO, I am not so sure there is an easy answer to your question...

First, we should perhaps get the "usuals" out of the way.. such as what research indicates for the unit impression time, and place; whether one is going with the Quartermaster Department "issue" mounted services boot, pegged or sewn; whether one is going with an issue versus priate purchase boot; etc.,

Second, assuming it is not an issue boot, then one needs to look at the possibilities and probabilities among a number of Period Correct civilian style boots for a mounted impression; then to what a private could have afforded to have, then to experience/likes/dislikes/druthers; then to one's Period concept of a Personal Statement; then to one's working concept of what constitutes PEC, NUG, or even a Believeable Image; etc.

And third... Whether one's Mental Picture calls for the wearing of "issue" boots, rather than having a shoe/boot maker like Serio, Land, or Mattimore make a pair of custom-made boots to the measurements/dimensions of one's left AND right feet.

But yes, the so-called "issue" mounted services" type boot is a "Wellington" style of "two piece" boot. After that, there is a wide variety of "variations on the theme" in the civilian world, as was there regulations for and against, practices, and individual soldiers going to and away form wearing boots.
And, generally, "stove pipe boots " are called so because the height of the fronts and the backs were even like a section of pipe rather than the front piece being higher. However, there are surviving boots where the front height extentensions were cut off to make them even.
And generally, the "Wellington" style was such that trousers could be worn inside or outside, unlike some styles that flared dramatically toward the top so that trousers had to be worn tucked inside (such as some "mule ear" boots) . Or, some styles where the high height of the boot pretty much dictated that the trousers had to be worn inside.

Again, being too brief and over-generalized here...

Curt

[Mbond057]

Re: Boots

Frank,

Hello!

I have a pair of Fugawee's bootees. They are well made and have held up, but as a diabetic I have problems with my feet and like all period shoes it makes it tough on diabetic feet without adding a modern insert or cushion.

As far as customer service and delivery, Fugawee delivered what they advertise.

[thenewguy]

Re: Boots

Frank,

Have you tried Missouri Boot & Shoe Company? They do wonderful work. http://missouribootandshoe.tripod.com/

Nick Costos

[Iron Scout]

Re: Boots

Mark,

Just as clarification, Fugawee's boots do not meet the level of expectations of this board. If you've got a pair that's great, but please don't make recommendations for non-authentic vendors. Do a little research into their product and you'll see what I mean. Anyway, to answer the question, Serio is probably the way to go...

Neill Rose
PLHA

[vamick]

Re: Boots

Hallo!



then to what a private could have afforded to have, Again, being too brief and over-generalized here...

Curt

And also to "over generalize" not all privates are created equal! some privates came from fairly well off families, others, while more 'middle class' could have gotten boots sent by family ( a fairly common request in letters/diarys) still others may have foud a way to pony up the extra cash if it were worth it to them they didnt always have to rely on their army pay..IMO sometimes I think folks get the idea stuck that 'issue' was the ONLY way soldiers supplied themselves in this war..that is just as much a 'reenactorism' as the constant "Ragged Rebel" who BTW were also found of boots and found ways to snag them from home ect... 'issue' is not the god of all war materials and I can pull a dozen letters home to prove it ( at least in the southern artillery ANV) others....well their mileage will no doubt vary immencely:D

[weinerhund]

Re: Boots

Besides the vat dyed leather what is wrong with Fugawee boots?

[Curt Schmidt]

Re: Boots

Hallo!

And also to "over generalize" not all privates are created equal! some privates came from fairly well off families, others, while more 'middle class' could have gotten boots sent by family ( a fairly common request in letters/diarys) still others may have foud a way to pony up the extra cash if it were worth it to them they didnt always have to rely on their army pay..IMO sometimes I think folks get the idea stuck that 'issue' was the ONLY way soldiers supplied themselves in this war..that is just as much a 'reenactorism' as the constant "Ragged Rebel" who BTW were also found of boots and found ways to snag them from home ect... 'issue' is not the god of all war materials and I can pull a dozen letters home to prove it ( at least in the southern artillery ANV) others....well their mileage will no doubt vary immencely:D

Herr Gary...

I might would suggest separating your paragraph into two. ;) :)
After having partially quoted me, the single paragraph can be read to imply that my statement is what "..IMO sometimes I think folks get the idea stuck that 'issue' was the ONLY way soldiers supplied themselves in this war..that is just as much a 'reenactorism' as the constant "Ragged Rebel" who BTW were also found of boots and found ways to snag them from home ect... 'issue' is not the god of all war materials and I can pull a dozen letters home to prove it ( at least in the southern artillery ANV) others....well their mileage will no doubt vary immencely:" refers to.

;) :) :-)

Curt

[vamick]

Re: Boots

Hallo!



Herr Gary...

I might would suggest separating your paragraph into two. ;) :)
;) :) :-)

Curt

Sorry bout that..Im a 'stream of un- consciousnesss' writer and my casual style was too casual:D paragraphs, commas. periods...they're for published stuff!! let tha reader sort em out!:)