proper foot wear

[Lt5thGaCav]

I am currently looking into purchasing foot wear. Should I be looking for Boots or brogans? I have hear both are suitable. I do both mounted and dismounted impressions and Federal and confederate. Any sugjestions??


Thanks in advance,

Greg J Geisel Jr.
5th Ga Cav / 9th Pa Cav

[paulcalloway]

Re: proper foot wear

You'll want the boots for cavalry and if you're portraying a generic infantry impression, boots will work in most cases as well. You'll want to get some bootees down the road though.

Serio or Mattimore in my experience.

[Outrider]

Re: proper foot wear

You'll want the boots for cavalry and if you're portraying a generic infantry impression, boots will work in most cases as well. You'll want to get some bootees down the road though.

Serio or Mattimore in my experience.

In my opinion brogans were just as common as boots for your average trooper.

Maybe more so. Sometimes it seems to me that all those big ol' tall boots are over represented but thats just my opinion.

[ButtermilkRanger]

Re: proper foot wear

I agree with Patrick. I'm no expert on Federal cavalry, but I believe that brogans were issued, not boots. I'm quite sure that boots are much too over-represented in the Confederate cavalry ranks today.

I do agree with Paul about the makers, though.

[John E. Tobey]

Re: proper foot wear

I think boots were commonly issued to US cavalry. For a concrete example, take Co. A of the 1st Connecticut: in the clothing issuance records for this company (held at GNMP) for the eight months between March and November 1864 (the September report was missing), this company was issued a total of 38 pairs of boots, and not a single pair of shoes. Of course, these issue boots were not the tall kinds we normally think of, but rather short boots -- think of what we call "Roper's" boots today.

John Tobey

[Ken Knopp]

Re: proper foot wear

While I cannot even remotely be considered a "knowledgable person" on footwear, I believe one would always have to first look at unit portrayed, period of the war, etc, etc. Most of the CS ordnance returns I have seen usually do not go into that kind of depth but some do if only in cursory numbers.
Like the others posting so far, brogans are very under represented and boots over represented in the hobby- especially the high top boots for an enlisted man. I wear brogans and would like to see more civilian style shoes. Still, having said that if one wanted a pair of boots to "go both ways" a good copy of the Federal boot is a excellent place to start. Photos enclosed are a neat pair of SC shoes and a nice pair of original CW Federal cavalry/artillery boots. I cant remember for sure but I think they are 12" in height.

Ken R Knopp

[Ken Knopp]

Re: proper foot wear

OOOOps! I almost forgot!! As a matter of courtesy I should credit the photos. The boot photos are provided by my friend David Jarnigan from his collection. I cannot remember where I "stole" (er, "borrowed" for educational purposes) the shoe photo.

[J.H.Berger]

Re: proper foot wear

As stated boots were issued to Cav and Arty but they were of the mid calf length and were originally meant to be worn under the trousers. If you have to march a pair of shoes will probably be the better choice. I wonder how my grandfather went along wearing these Landser boots for 6 years marching and riding through whole Europe and back......

[AZFarrier]

Re: proper foot wear

From a practicality purpose I generally go with brogans. At night I some times get up to either meet the call of nature or check on the horses, I feel getting brogans on are easier get on then boots. On the other hand high top boots give added protection when riding through brush ar cactus (where I'm from). Local records show that Sharod Hunters Troopers (Arizona Rangers-CSA) had access to some brogans, a contract was made to a local cobbler in Tucson during that time.

Andy Miller
1st CAL Cav

[T.Kern]

Re: proper foot wear

You'll want the boots for cavalry and if you're portraying a generic infantry impression, boots will work in most cases as well. You'll want to get some bootees down the road though.

Serio or Mattimore in my experience.

You want shoes!!! as that is what was being issued for the most part to Confederate cav! I have seen tons of issues and almost all were for shoes! Unless your federal, then you have your choice of one pair of short boots ,12", or two pair of shoes. Shoes are cooler in the heat but most people go with boots because of the preconceived "cool look". I love a fine pair of boots but only use them for specific impressions. Other than officers or early war most enlisted cavalrymen wore what was issued, not boots! In 1864 boots in the south cost around $450, how does a private afford that?

For makers the best was Montana boot, long since gone. MJ & N boot and shoe are very good as well.
Todd Kern

[Linkstrap]

Re: proper foot wear

If your current budget allows you to, why not buy both a good pair of boots and a pair of bootees, that way you can tailor your impression according to the scenario.

As to where to buy them, as has already been stated, Serio or Mattimore. (I have boots on order at present with Robert Serio, he's a great guy to do business with).

[Andrew German]

Re: proper foot wear

As a wearer of knee-high boots I'm feeling a bit defensive here. However, my choice is based on my great-granduncle's January 1864 request for boots from home: high enough to protect his knees. My research in documents and photos suggests that a sizable percentage of federal troopers wore privately purchased tall boots. To protect your legs in a tight formation, or in brush, or when kneeling on the skirmish line, tall boots are not simply an ego boost, they're practical. Of course you have to pull your pants down over them for inspection and review, but they were a significant presence during the war.

I have not researched issue footwear as thoroughly, but I agree that for issue boots the 12" height is accurate.

Finally, I too endorse Missouri Boot & Shoe products. They're still pliable and comfortable after almost ten years of abuse.

Andrew German

[Parault]

Re: proper foot wear

I have done long campaign marches in both boots and brogans. Me personally, I love my brogans. I have some that are very comfortable. I like one on the earlier posts about having to get up during the night to relieve yourself, it is easier to slip on brogans for that short trip, than trying to pull on boots, especially after marching with wet feet. It is far harder to slip feet in those wet boots, than brogans

[paulcalloway]

Re: proper foot wear

Missouri Boot & Shoe:

http://www.missouribootandshoe.com/index.asp

Mattimore Harness:

http://www.civilwarboots.com/

[T.Kern]

Re: proper foot wear

If your current budget allows you to, why not buy both a good pair of boots and a pair of bootees, that way you can tailor your impression according to the scenario.

As to where to buy them, as has already been stated, Serio or Mattimore. (I have boots on order at present with Robert Serio, he's a great guy to do business with).

I have to say Serio screwed me over a pair of boots, so he was not a great guy to deal with. Next, yes he has an authentic product but not a high end product. The boots he makes would be considered utilitarian in the period. Just presenting both sides.
Todd Kern