Wellington Boots

[Two-Step]

Quite some time ago I did an essay about how rubber was commonly used in American clothing, during the 19th century. I was wondering, since there are so many historical reenactors, if anyone is using vulcanized or rubber clothing as part of their attire, such as Wellington boots, Canndee Boots, slickers, vulcanized leather, and etc,...

[Delmonico]

I haven't although there were a couple times I wish I would of, I've got a couple pictures of them being worn in the period though, if you want I can dig them out.

[Texas Lawdog]

I remember watching the Andy Griffith Show and seeing Andy wearing Wellingtons and his pants leg was always stuck down in one of the boot tops.

[Two-Step]

I haven't although there were a couple times I wish I would of, I've got a couple pictures of them being worn in the period though, if you want I can dig them out.

That would be great.

[Skeeter Lewis]

The Duke of Wellington wore elegant leather boots. The rubber version that bear his name must have him spinning in his grave....

[Delmonico]

Here are a couple pictures I have og folks wearing rubber boots:

April 1889 Guthrie Oklahoma Territory:





Picture 11978 Solomon Butcher Collection near Sargent Nebraska, 1903:

[Texas Lawdog]

It might not be a bad idea if we should wear Wellie's when the BS gets too deep around here.

[Two-Step]

The Duke of Wellington wore elegant leather boots. The rubber version that bear his name must have him spinning in his grave....

But, if he where wearing rubber wellingtons, at least he would be spinning with dry feet. 
And considering he was of the "royal" breed, he probably would have happily worn a pair when he went trout fishing... only a poor coarse fisherman would be content with wet feet and then only because he couldn't afford rubber wellingtons.

I can definitly see the benifits of the Wellington vulcanized boot for daily wear, ecspecialy in the wet season. Even town streets could become muddy pools of soup that would destroy even the nicest pair of town shoes. Not to mention the value they would have to anyone who ventured into the wilds, such as surveyers, loggers, fence builders, sportsmen, etc,...

We have to keep in mind that not everyone in the 19th Century was a double braced gunslinger dressed to the nines in his eastern store bought "dude" wear... a fact that often gets conveniantly forgotten by many old west reenactors

[Professor Marvel]

It might not be a bad idea if we should wear Wellie's when the BS gets too deep around here.

Ah My Dear Texas Lawdog -
I fear I must have been remiss as of late - I will endevour to produce more as rapidly as possible to fill the need.

yhs
prof  marvel

[Professor Marvel]

Here are a couple pictures I have of folks wearing rubber boots:

April 1889 Guthrie Oklahoma Territory:

Ah My Dear Del -
Those two individuals look positively British in their suspoenders, ties, deerstalkers, and is that a double rifle, or could it be a shotgun? perhaps a smoothbore  might be appropriate for wingshooting in the muddy fields.

yhs
prof marvel

[Mogorilla]

From the pose of the one fellow, I thought it was an early advertisment for Captain Morgan's Rum

As to the leather Wellingtons, nice period correct wear as well.   Real convenient for fellows with larger calves (when I was a 100 pounds heavier mine were more full grown bulls).   The low boots don't rub the calves.   Much more comfortable for a day of shooting.   The artillary boots being sold by some sutleries are not that far off.

[Tascosa Joe]

The boots in the pictures of the gentlemen near Guthrie, OK look like the rubber irrigating boots you get at most farm supply stores.
T-Joe

[Delmonico]

The boots in the pictures of the gentlemen near Guthrie, OK look like the rubber irrigating boots you get at most farm supply stores.
T-Joe

Yep, about the only thing different is they use a better quality of artificial rubber.  2-5 buckle overshoes ain't changed much either, so if it's muddy pull them on and go.