BACKGROUND: Besides the helmet, the tall, blackened leather boot is probably one of the most instantly recognizable items of the German military. However the German’s concern with leather shortages was evident as early as September 1939 when issue of the traditional tall leather marching boot was restricted to personnel serving in the field. Regulations in November 1939 shortened the tall leather marching boot in an attempt to conserve leather. Additional regulations in August 1940, introduced the canvas gaiters to be worn with the short lace up ankle boots, and issued to all second line troops in a further effort to conserve leather. By 1941 the short lace up ankle boots and gaiters were issued to all new recruits in place of the marching boot as a cost and leather saving technique. By 1943 with increased leather shortages the gaiter’s and lace up ankle boots were issued in ever larger quantities and production of the tall marching boots was discontinued altogether. Officer and certain senior NCO ranks were responsible for purchasing their own uniforms including footwear and as a result were allotted a clothing allowance through the army’s Kleiderkasse, (Clothing Account), system. The Officers and certain senior NCO’s could choose to purchase their footwear from the armed forces clothing depots or to privately purchase footwear of higher quality. Although enlisted personnel were issued their footwear from government supplies they were also permitted to purchase privately manufactured footwear although the price may have been restrictive.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Post-November 1939, multi-panel, blackened leather construction boots are roughly, 13 1/2" tall from the top of the heel to the top of the back calf section. The boots have a wide, stitched on, dual layer, central, vertical, spine to the reverse. The calf sections of the boots are constructed in two leather panels with a scalloped, horizontal, machine stitched seam just above the ankle section. The foot portion of the boots are constructed of two leather panels with a large forward panel and a smaller rear panel covering the heel area. The boots have stacked leather heels and forward soles with crudely cut-out, nailed on, replaced rubber bottoms. The rubber bottoms appear to be cut from a tire and appear to be period replacements. The interior top edge of one boot has both of the vertical, white fabric pull tabs intact while they have been removed from the other boot. The boots show light chafe wear and surface cracking, both are missing a few seam stitches and one has a couple of small tears. The boots are roughly size 8 1/2.

GRADE ***                             PRICE $509.00