Converting Doc Martins

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I was thinking about the possibility of doing a FJ impression and I was wondering where the heck I could get boots. But then I remembered reading somewehere that you could convert docmartins. Is this true and if so how should one go about doing it?

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[spitfire740]

www.civilwarboots.com has Fallschirmjaeger boots, although they are tall brown boots. I am curious as to what they are, becuase they look like cavalry boots, and not jump boots.

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Well it says that they have 12 eyelets and that looks about right and i think that that is how many eyelets were on ythe jumpboot(correct me if i am wrong). But because Doc Martens are easy to find and not oober expensive I think I want to go that route if I can.

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[CharleyNovember]

Civilwarboots.com does indeed offer FJ boots at 200 a pop. Converting docs requires at the least coloring the yellow thread going around the soles. Few other things I can't remember. You might look on Ebay for old Vietnam US boots that are not speedlacved and not jungle boots. British jumpers Canadian, Belgian and Russian Jumpers are all good stand ins as well. Look on ebay and see what you find.

[Capt. Zak]

The Docs you'll need for the conversion will cost between $90.00 & $120.00. Then, they need to be re-soled by a cobbler. That will cost another $100.00 for his labor & soles. Total cost = about $200.00

Just get a repro pair. There is some debate about those civilwarboots.com FJ boots. Some say they are not accurate, some do...I use a pair of Canadian jump boots. Almost identical to the second pattern FJ boots except they have 9 eyelets not 12. But once you blouse your trousers you can't tell. ;D

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Capt Zak where could I find some Canadian jump boots? And about how much are we talken per pair?

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cgi.ebay.com/US-Army-Combat-Boots-sz-13-steel-toe_W0QQitemZ200070313683QQihZ010QQcategoryZ586QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Would something like these work?

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[Capt. Zak]

Those have a toe cap. German boots did not. I would hold out and get something with out the toe cap. What size shoe are you? I have (1) pair of the Canadian jump boots left. I think they are 11.5 (10.5 Canadian).

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Thanks Capt. but I am still trying to decide if and what imp to do so i think i will hold off for a while.

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[binarypunisher]

Heres the boots I use:





They are German paratrooper boots. Odd thing is they use US sizing. I think they are 60-70's vintage.
Only 9 eyelets unfortunately, but they look fine if the pants are bloused.

[CharleyNovember]

Those have speed laces. The look fine but something without speedlaces looks more authentic.

[Doom]

Here's the real deal...Vintage Fallschirmjager boots. There is a little "Doc Marten" style going on there. Hmmmm.

[Gerry]

This is a pair of cochrans (s?) that I bought on E-bay for $20 I carefully cut off the toe caps and filled them with silicone, then I dyed and polished them. When they are clean and polished like in the photo, you can still see the stitch holes from the toe caps but get them a little dull and dirty and they look nearly identical! With the dye I bought which I use on my Y straps and belts from time to time anyway I think they cost me about $30. If the stitching was white they would look even better.

[Nimlas]

Corcoran.

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They look good to me Gerry! Nice job tooper!

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[5thrangerinfantry]

great job...how did you cut the toe cap off with out removing the sole?

[2ndranger]

Those boots look fine, unless you run into a Stitch-Knotsee, my "Low-boots", are actually the same height as your Doc's, and with Steel toe-inside. All I do is put My Gaiters on and they look fine to run and airsoft in.

Schutze

[mikkel]

This made me go looking in old boxes, and i actually managed to find my old doc martins. They DO look a lot like fallschirmjäger boots. The worst thing is that the soles is a light toned rubber. They also have 14 holes instead of the correct 12.
To go with the cheap HK uniforms, i think they would be quite ok actually.