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Post by whiterook on Dec 22, 2010 19:07:42 GMT -5
Hey guys ... I started talking about this under the Day of Days event thread an thought I post up some pics here. These are "modern" 60's - 70's military cap toe boots I bought at a Surplus Store several years ago ... They started out life Black ... I have changed them to good 'ol army brown using NU-LIFE Color Spray for shoes & leather. There are a number or reasons why I need to keep these boots for reenacting / airsoft ... one is that Jump Boots are too tall to fit my leg ... I can't even get on a pair of Army size 5 leggings on because my calves are so big. Heck I can't even run the laces thru the top eyelet on these boots.
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HornetWSO
Private 1st Class
"We may not have a history, but we have a rendezvous with destiny!"
Posts: 551
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Post by HornetWSO on Dec 22, 2010 21:44:35 GMT -5
I'm very interested to know how the new color wears? Looks like a good idea!
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Post by whiterook on Dec 22, 2010 22:06:19 GMT -5
I'm very interested to know how the new color wears? Looks like a good idea! I spray them once a year (or for a particular event) and touch them up during the year ... however, for a Bulge event I want them to look more worn ... so no touch up. A can of spray is around $7
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Post by whiterook on Dec 22, 2010 22:08:04 GMT -5
I'm very interested to know how the new color wears? Looks like a good idea! If your boots are brown ... touch up might not be necessary ... also a good coat of polish helps to make the color last
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2nd Bat
Master sergeant
Posts: 11,813
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Post by 2nd Bat on Dec 22, 2010 23:16:37 GMT -5
I had a pair of originally black Corcorans and painted them brown using a dye and truth be told they held up quite well. They could probably stand a fresh coat and I have since bought correct boots but it's a viable and reasonable alternative.
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Post by whiterook on Dec 23, 2010 9:24:20 GMT -5
... Either that or pick another impression where I wouldn't have to do that. It is one of those cases where it is physically impossible for me ... I would have to cut down the jump boots in order to lace them up ... Even my std GI Impression required me to buy 2 pairs of leggings and have them modified into one pair ... it's my darn 25" dia cavs ...
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Post by zoidberg20 on Dec 23, 2010 10:03:36 GMT -5
I think it looks great I remember when i was in the Danish Royal Husares my friend had to get his riding boots special made since he also had 25" cavs. The supply officer had great fun when they arrived by putting them on his head ad walking around like a king ;D
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2nd Bat
Master sergeant
Posts: 11,813
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Post by 2nd Bat on Dec 23, 2010 13:38:15 GMT -5
I have both originally black boots that I dyed and actual, original new old stock brown jump boots. In the field I prefer to wear the dyed boots and save the originals for more display events where frankly they aren't going to get messed up and hold the spit polish I lovingly applied.
I have never had anyone notice the difference and there are some pretty anal folks in the groups around here. If I pointed out what I had done they no doubt would poo poo it. Must be the "In the back of my mind I would know" mentality, that causes some reenactors to want to wear original underwear with their impressions I'm not suggesting there is anything wrong about that I'm just trying to understand it?
Instead of buying a pair of brown reproductions for $125.00 to $175.00 I see nothing wrong with finding a pair of used, black jump boots for 12.00 to $15.00 and spend $7.00 dying them. The results look fine for 97% of the folks out there. I for one am not going lose sleep over the 3% ( They have a perfect right to call them standards while I have a perfect right to call them issues!)
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Post by CharleyNovember on Dec 23, 2010 14:15:20 GMT -5
I would love to see what the differences are. pictures would be great. I have a real hard time finding repros that fit they are either to big or too small and kill my feet. I'm diabetic and have circulation issues in both my hands and feet so you can imagine ill fitting footwear is not only really painful it could be potentially a health issue for me.
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Post by whiterook on Dec 23, 2010 15:01:05 GMT -5
The results look fine for 97% of the folks out there. I for one am not going lose sleep over the 3% ... They seem to ... being a blank fire reenactor for over 15 years and wearing these for nearly 10 years to all kinds of living histories and battle reenactments ... they have never been questioned ... the other good thing is that when I blouse my m42 pants over the top ... no one can see that the top lace holes are empty
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Adler69
Master sergeant
Legio Patria Nostra
Posts: 2,859
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Post by Adler69 on Dec 23, 2010 15:43:51 GMT -5
Repro brown jump boots next to '59 and '60 dated jump boots Side view of the Repro and '59 boots Soles of the repro and '59 Top view repro and '59 Other side of the repro and '60 Toe caps on the repro '59 and '60 Back side of the repro '59 and '60 Brown painted jump boots , specially these pre Vietnam War era types , look just as good as the new made repro's. And by the way my repro boots are the high end boots not cheap made ones from this past few years
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Post by CharleyNovember on Dec 23, 2010 17:24:37 GMT -5
I'm going to work on the boots I have with some neets foot oil and stuff to see what I can do because I already bought one pair of boots I don't want to buy another.
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Post by whiterook on Dec 23, 2010 21:31:31 GMT -5
Hello everybody! I'm terribly sorry, it was not my intention to get a war of words started here on the issue of me changing the color of a pair boots. Please note that (1) repro boots do not fit me and (2) a custom pair of repro boots was estimated to be $850. Again for my GI leg impression, I had to spend $80 on two pairs of leggings + another $35 to have them stitched together to make one pair. My calves are 25" in diameter 8" off the floor. My dimensions would have driven a supply sgt mad ;D I was lucky enough to find a pair of boots that fit and was able to find a way to make them work for my airborne impression. My goal with this post was to help out people with similar type issues ... It is hard to find a custom fit in an off the rack world PS - You should have seen my M42 Jump Jacket before I had it altered ... I looked like a clown ... I have a size 50 chest and my sleeve length is only 33" ... size 50 Jump Jackets only come with 37" sleeves ... when I buttoned the sleeve the blousing went past my finger tips!
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Adler69
Master sergeant
Legio Patria Nostra
Posts: 2,859
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Post by Adler69 on Dec 24, 2010 16:19:41 GMT -5
Whiterook , no need to apologize . CN , medical reasons overshadow everything else , no need to loose your life because of a game.
Everyone else cut the Bull$hit or i will lock the thread , this is getting Guy on a short bused.
Don't like the painted boots? Want to be 100% accurate right down to the fraking under ware and sucks ? Invent a tome machine , go back to 1944 and see how long you guys last. Well then again you might be shocked by all the farbines going on .
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Post by CharleyNovember on Dec 24, 2010 17:00:56 GMT -5
If regular repros won't fit his calves what else can he do? If ill fitting boots cause sores on my feet that may not heal up and cause me to get a little nip, nip oh no's no toe's what should I do lose some toes as long as I am wearing those real deal repros for people? That's just crazy.
Now buying 30.00 non repros and adding 10-20.00 worth of boot dye because it saved you 50.00 bucks on correct repros when those repros will work for you and you don't have those issues seems like a waste of time and money I agree but their are always exceptions.
If there was a new recruit and he didn't have boots I'd tell him to wear his uniform with some black combats he hopefully already has and save up the 100-200.00 for the repros.
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Post by Fusilier on Dec 24, 2010 17:32:22 GMT -5
No Dan,what I'm saying is, if the boots give you,or anybody else a problem,perhaps you need to find another impression,thats all. Lord knows we have more than enough Airborne,SS and every other elite under the sun.
I just voiced my opinion,that is all. I find the whole concept of PAINTING boots foreign and bizarre,but thats just me! I prefer to do things the best way I know how,and to cut as few corners as possible.
Again,thats just me.
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Post by CharleyNovember on Dec 24, 2010 17:51:35 GMT -5
I don't think any of the repro boots are worth a crap as far as fit. What is the huge difference in the two it is hard for me to see in those pictures? I mean once you get mud and dirt on them is it goign to ruin it for you?
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deacon
Private 1st Class
Posts: 748
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Post by deacon on Dec 24, 2010 18:31:21 GMT -5
I highly doubt you would even notice he was wearing postwar boots. Especially Johns. I have seen them personally, and I didn't even know till he just mentioned, that they are post war. So obviously, nobody but the person wearing them is going to know.
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Post by CharleyNovember on Dec 25, 2010 1:28:20 GMT -5
Anyone can request it but that doesn't mean it will get done. I am up putting together xmas toys but I will probably prune out a lot of crap. Adlers post with pictures is an excellent reference here though I think. Everything else will probably go though.
Incase anyone is wondering what they missed I will explain. WR posted an alternative method for Jump boots for those of us with fitting issues with repros or health issues. While a difference of opinion is fine. It seems somewhat a detraction from the original post to argue about it. I removed a lot of posts that did nothing for the thread other than trash it up. I edited post to take out references to the argument my own post were both edited and removed along with others.
The bottom line is that someone posted information for people to either follow or not follow their is no need to argue about it. If you don't want to do it or don't need to do it and love your repro boots that is fine. If you produce events and you don't ever want to see this kind of boot at your event then that is your perogative to make it known ahead of time and enforce your rules as you see fit. Your personal or group standards are just that. Set them as high as you wish and demand the people that want to be in events with you follow them. Dictating your standards to others is not appropriate in a public forum.
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Post by 10target on Dec 25, 2010 2:02:01 GMT -5
I really like this idea. I'm not in the position to dish out $150 for some boondockers so this is really nice. Thanks lol.
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Post by volkssturm on Dec 26, 2010 15:57:51 GMT -5
Don't like the painted boots? Want to be 100% accurate right down to the fraking under ware and sucks ? Invent a tome machine , go back to 1944 and see how long you guys last. Well then again you might be shocked by all the farbines going on . To expand a little on Adler's comment, here's a couple pics from "The U.S. Army in World War II", by Mark henry (Osprey/Military). This guy apparently took issued service shoes and lengthened the tops with homemade or scavenged material. He also improvised a helmet cover from a burlap bag. This pic is identified as the 29th ID in Normandy. The lieutenant kneeling with his back to the camera is wearing British hobnailed boots. Which is not to say that everyone should go wild and wear anything at all, of course. Just that reality and official uniforms tended to diverge once troops got in the field.
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Post by heinrich42 on Mar 10, 2011 22:33:04 GMT -5
Repro brown jump boots next to '59 and '60 dated jump boots Side view of the Repro and '59 boots Soles of the repro and '59 Top view repro and '59 Other side of the repro and '60 Toe caps on the repro '59 and '60 Back side of the repro '59 and '60 Brown painted jump boots , specially these pre Vietnam War era types , look just as good as the new made repro's. And by the way my repro boots are the high end boots not cheap made ones from this past few years Not trying to start a flame war or anything, but...those are not WWII Jump Boots, they are Korean War Combat Boots. There are a few differences between those and the jump boots, such as: -There is a full rubber sole, rather than a half sole: www.wwiiimpressions.com/images/20073sole.JPG-The heel reinforcement differs noticeably: www.wwiiimpressions.com/images/jumpboot1.JPG-There are no holes between the toe cap stitching: www.wwiiimpressions.com/images/200136toe.JPGJust to name a few... Dying a pair of the black boots brown may be a viable option for guys doing Korean War that have a hard time finding a pair of combat boots (which is still pretty iffy), but it isn't something that I would do for WWII Jump Boots. Again, I am not trying to start a flame war, just pointing out some issues/differences that have not been touched on. -Shawn
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Post by jettalewis on Mar 10, 2011 23:18:48 GMT -5
I am definately not an expert regarding American boots in WW11, but my Dad loves to relate the story of when he was sent to St. John's, Newfoundland during the War. Shortly after he left Newfoundland he was posted to Europe and participated in the Battle of the Bulge. Anyway, his story is that they had hobnail boots when sent to Newfoundland from North Carolina in the winter. One of the first things they did was to go on a 10 mile hike past Lake Windsor and spent the night there and marched back in the morning. Unfortunately, they found out that the hobnails did a great job of transferring the cold into their feet and several of the guys suffered frostbite. They were issued footwear more suited to cold country. My point is...This Lt wearing the hobnails....could they have been hold overs from when the US Army was wearing them? How does one determine that these are UK rather than US boots. Just asking.
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guitarmaster
Corporal
And at this range, I'm a real Frederick Zoller
Posts: 954
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Post by guitarmaster on Mar 11, 2011 11:08:34 GMT -5
Only suggestion i'd make is if you decide to paint boots, tape off the soles so you don't get any brown paint on the rubber soles.
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Post by Fusilier on Mar 11, 2011 15:24:37 GMT -5
Repro brown jump boots next to '59 and '60 dated jump boots Side view of the Repro and '59 boots Soles of the repro and '59 Top view repro and '59 Other side of the repro and '60 Toe caps on the repro '59 and '60 Back side of the repro '59 and '60 Brown painted jump boots , specially these pre Vietnam War era types , look just as good as the new made repro's. And by the way my repro boots are the high end boots not cheap made ones from this past few years Not trying to start a flame war or anything, but...those are not WWII Jump Boots, they are Korean War Combat Boots. There are a few differences between those and the jump boots, such as: -There is a full rubber sole, rather than a half sole: www.wwiiimpressions.com/images/20073sole.JPG-The heel reinforcement differs noticeably: www.wwiiimpressions.com/images/jumpboot1.JPG-There are no holes between the toe cap stitching: www.wwiiimpressions.com/images/200136toe.JPGJust to name a few... Dying a pair of the black boots brown may be a viable option for guys doing Korean War that have a hard time finding a pair of combat boots (which is still pretty iffy), but it isn't something that I would do for WWII Jump Boots. Again, I am not trying to start a flame war, just pointing out some issues/differences that have not been touched on. -Shawn >> Great post Shawn. Another voice of reason among..well, not so much reason! lol!
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Post by poacher on Aug 6, 2011 18:55:27 GMT -5
How do the painted boots take polish?
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Post by whiterook on Aug 20, 2011 16:26:03 GMT -5
^ Yes ... they take polish very well. Actually, I use brown shoe polish that darkens them a little and helps the life of the color. Thanks! Best to you, WhiteRook
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Echelon
Private
Day Man, Fighter of the Night Man
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Post by Echelon on Aug 20, 2011 17:46:28 GMT -5
I would never "paint" a pair of boots. That just doesn't seem worth the effort. I would however artificially wear the crap out of some repros, or just buy the real deal.
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Post by whiterook on Aug 20, 2011 19:30:51 GMT -5
I would never "paint" a pair of boots. That just doesn't seem worth the effort. I would however artificially wear the crap out of some repros, or just buy the real deal. Well, it is worth it ... if you would have read the posts above you would have seen that a pair of jump boots would have cost me $850. They would have to be custom made. Due to the dimesions of my legs ... no "off-the-shelf" reproduction high lace boots or single pair of leggings will fit me and no double buckles made will fit me either. My other choice would be to buy repros and cut them down by 5 eyelets ... can see doing that either.
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Echelon
Private
Day Man, Fighter of the Night Man
Posts: 171
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Post by Echelon on Aug 20, 2011 19:40:35 GMT -5
Agree with you 100%, and definitely understand the "why". I guess if my jump boots didn't fit correctly, I would consider doing the same thing. I am just not really into modifying to that extreme.
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