Pointed toe cowboy boots

[Dead Eye Dave]

How historically are they?  Are they a modern affectation or did they exist in the late 19th century?  In most movies now you see the square toed variety.

DB

[St. George]

They're largely a 20th Century item, as has been discussed several times on this forum and on the 'NCOWS' forum.

It would take the Army's WWI experience with the vast differences in individual feet - thanks to Draftees -  and the development of the 'Munson Last' that would provide a discernable 'left' and 'right' boot.

Prior to that, most boots were custom-built, and those that weren't were built to fit either foot.

Don't use the Silver Screen as any sort of reliable historical reference - though costuming 'is' getting better.

Vaya,

Scouts Out!

[Fox Creek Kid]

Prior to that, most boots were custom-built, and those that weren't were built to fit either foot.

I was told by the man at Fugawee that the military started using brogans made for both right & left feet before the Civil War. As I am no authority on 19th century footwear I do not know. He told me that they utilized the rifle stock duplicating machine to make a wooden last for either foot. Anyway, here's his website with a wealth of info on shoes & boots.

http://www.fugawee.com/,%20brogans.htm

[Grapeshot]

How historically are they?  Are they a modern affectation or did they exist in the late 19th century?  In most movies now you see the square toed variety.

DB

I have a copy of Stackpole's "Bluecoats:  The US Army in the West 1848-1897 and on Page 64 they have a picture of an Infantry Officer in Full Dress with a pair of pointy toed boots on and another Infantry Officer in the Undress Uniform on page 77 wearing the same style boot.

On Page 65 their are two Infantry Privates wityh pointed toe boots/shoes on while in their Dress Blue uniforms

[Dr. Bob]

Howdy Grapeshot,

Do they have any dates associated with those pictures??  Thanks!

[Black Powder]

FCK, thanks for the referral to Fugawee.  Looks like a good source and reasonably priced.

BP

[Grapeshot]

Howdy Grapeshot,

Do they have any dates associated with those pictures??  Thanks!

They are post 1881 as they are wearing the 1881 style Spiked Helmets and one officer is wearing the pill box style peaked forage cap of the 1890's.

[Frenchie]

The Big Three, Fugawee, Mattimore Harness and Missouri Boot & Shoe, all agree that right and left lasts existed and were used for many years prior to the War of the Rebellion. Straight last shoes certainly were made and worn, possibly into the post-War period, but they were long obsolete and I think were most likely the cheapest kind of shoe.

[Fox Creek Kid]

I bought a set of custom made cavalry boots that are straight last type and let me tell you this, after the first day of wearing them at a shoot I felt as if I had spent the night in the hands of the KGB!!    I highly recommend the Fugawee boots as for me they feel like a pair of bedroom slippers and are period correct as well, except for the chain stitch welt which no one uses any more.