Another Boot Question

[Coal Creek Griff]

I have what I think might be an unusual question regarding boots.

I'm trying to figure out a historically accurate boot option for my situation.  A few years ago, I was involved in an accident and my left leg was amputated at the knee.  Now I wear a prosthetic and, when I'm wearing long pants, most people don't notice that anything is different. 

The difficulty is that I can't point my toes to put on "normal" boots.  I've thought of slitting a pair of boots at a seam and making some kind of invisible closure, but I hate to go cutting on expensive boots.  If the heels are too high, that could cause problems too. 

I'm wondering if any kind of lace-up boots were in use during the '70's-80's.  I'd like to go for the cowboy-turned-lawman persona.  (I thought about going for the "stove-up" cowboy look with a 19th century prosthetic, but I can only imagine how uncomfortable that would be!)

Thanks!

CC Griff

[Wymore Wrangler]

folks wore lace up boots, and damm anyone that would challenge your foot wear pardner, just get out there and enjoy shooting with the rest of us...

[Will Ketchum]

Many people wore lace up boots in the old west.  Even cowboys.  I have a picture of a bunch of cowboys setting on and around a deadfall a good share of them had on lace ups. 

I almost always wear some type of lace up boot.  Sometimes Durangos and others Justins.  I remove the kelty (the fringy thing that is on the bottom lace of ropers and they look very period.  I refuse to wear leather soled boots because we mostly shoot on grass and after a couple of knee surgeries I don't want to risk a slip.

I hope this helps.

Will Ketchum

[River City John]

www.civilwarboots.com/enter.html?target=dept_1.html&lang=en-us

The above link show some good alternatives. If their Italian 1912 shoe was in canvas and leather it would be a spitting image of the 'camp shoe' popularized in the Civil War. There was one company producing a decent 'camp shoe' but I have misplaced their site for now. I'll look for it.
Sears Roebuck and Montgomery Wards were offering deck shoes (i.e. canvas tennis shoes with rubber soles) in the 19th cent. Check the catalog reprints for a typical pattern.
Also, check out: www.stacyadams.com/shop-sa/mensShoes/classic/madison/prod00015.html
Their 'Madison' boot has been around since the 19th cent.

See Missouri Boot & Shoe item # EN-2 about midway down this page:
http://missouribootandshoe.tripod.com/id10.htm


www.robertlandhistoricshoes.com/servlet/Categories?category=1861-65+men%27s+shoes+and+bootees

Above is the reference for the camp boot/shoe, plus a style of pull-on low boot called the 'Congress'-style that is also historically accurate alternate footwear.

Enjoy.
RCJ

p.s.
If your prosthesis does not bend well enough to get them started into traditional high boots, might consider the pseudo-Cathedral stitched boot that The Fort Western Store has been selling a lot of. They look like they are Cathedral stitched, but actually are constructed of separate panels with elastic relief panels in between them, so it allows the entire calf to open up wider. A real boon to the people with husky calves and ankles, but might also make it easier for you to slip on and off.
It's called the Gore Top Mule-eared Shooter's Boot, about middle of the page on the below link.
http://www.fortwestern.com/store/home.php?cat=216
Contact either Delmonico or Terry Lane in here.
RCJ

p.p.s:
Coal Creek, you sound like a great candidate for N.C.O.W.S.

[Frenchie]

Hey, Griff, welcome to the fire. I can almost commiserate, I'm missing a toe from my left foot and wearing a "half shoe" thing on my right foot so a wound on the bottom can heal up. At least I don't need crutches... yet

Boots aren't the only option, there are also Army shoes, bootees, brogans, whatever you want to call them. They're ankle tall and lace up. Lots of them were made and worn out before, during and after the War of the Rebellion. It should, I think, be pretty easy to get one of them on your prosthesis. I recommend getting in touch with these people and giving them a chance to help you out:

Fugawee Corp.

Mattimore Harness

Robert Land Footwear

Whoops, I just noticed River City John has already given you a link for Mattimore Harness and Robert Land. Let me just say, they make really nice boots and shoes. And RCJ, thanks for the link to Stacey Adams Shoes, they look really good.

[Coal Creek Griff]

Thanks, gents!  You guys are great--I appreciate the responses.  That gives me some direction to go.  I know that people are very forgiving of me, but I feel better when I am most authentic.  For example, even though I love the hat I'm wearing in my avatar, I replaced it with a more authentic (to the older time period) one since that photo was taken.

RCJ:  I wish there was an N.C.O.W.S. posse in my area.  I'm more interested in authenticity than in playing the game.  I'm afraid that I'm just too busy to start one...

Coal Creek

[Frenchie]

RCJ:  I wish there was an N.C.O.W.S. posse in my area.  I'm more interested in authenticity than in playing the game.  I'm afraid that I'm just too busy to start one...

Oh, man, welcome to the club, so to speak. Baltimore is a long way from the nearest Posse. I may get so desperate that I'll go and see how much interest there might be in starting up an NCOWS Posse at the local shooting range. From what I can gather, though, someone tried to start up a SASS group there and the idea met with yawning apathy. Well, like they say, you can't win if you don't play.

[Black Powder]

Coal Creek, you sound like a great candidate for N.C.O.W.S.

No kiddin'. 

I commend your commitment to authenticity.  I'm just starting out, but can attest to all the folks' good advice offered thus far. 

Whether there's a NCOWS org nearby or not, there's nothin' that prevents you from gettin' in the spirit.

Welcome.  And good huntin'.

BP

[Sir Charles deMouton-Black]

I am in NCOWS, without a posse within sight!

I have been told that there is no sin at all in a SASS member being historically accurate in his presentation. 

[Cliff Hanger]

I found some articles on boots and shoe of the time period. The articles addressed "Did cowboys really wear boots?" I placed them here.

http://www.brimstonepistoleros.com/gazette/nov06.html

http://www.brimstonepistoleros.com/gazette/sep06.html

[Coal Creek Griff]

That's very informative.  Thanks!