Southwestern Scout Boot/Mocassin

[Ottawa Creek Bill]

Just finished these up for a friend of mine this evening. These are shaped soles of the type that a scout or hunter would have traded for from the Indians of the region.

The uppers are Elk Skin and the soles are white rawhide. The six pewter buttons are functional in that these button up the sides. Very comfortable.

Bill


Another view

[FEATHERS]

G'Day Bill,Those moccasins are a work of art,I'll have to give up now I have seen those.Feathers

[Johnny McCrae]

Howdy Bill,

I agree with Feathers. Your Moccasin's are a true work of art! Your Friend will be very proud to wesr them. Thank you for sharing your talents with us.

By the way, do you wet mold the soles to get that shape?

[Ace Lungger]

Howdy Bill 
AWESOME Bill those look just like real deal!!! I allways wondered how much the soul on those would pertect your feet? A lot of people can walk on big rocks bear foot and it doesn't bother them!! I cannot, I go bear foot in the house, but that is it!! Before i got hurt I had thoughts several times about buying a pair, but the price of a good pair was more that I was willing to gamble, in case I couldn't wear them!
I would be great full if you could give me some advice?

You do Super Work!!
ACE

[JD Alan]

Hi Bill, those are really nice, and like the other guys, it has inspired a question.

We have a new shooting couple in our club, and she has taken on the persona of an Indian. She's had a very nice outfit custom made for herself, complete with matching purse and moccasins. She ordered this outfit before I knew them, so I don't know who did the work, but it is first rate. I don't know if they used deer or elk hides, but I'm pretty sure it's one of the two.

We shoot in a rock quarry, and it hurts my feet to walk around there, and I know it's hurting hers as well. She told me she put some Dr. Shoals pads in there, but she looks like she's walking on eggs. Would it be possible to "Retrofit" some sort of sole on the outside of these? It's not something I would try myself, because it sounds way outside my skill level, but I wonder if it's possible. I suppose you might need to see a picture of them to know what the soles look like now

Thanks in advance for any advice you can offer, JD       

[Ned Buckshot]

I have the same problem of tender feet. When I made mine I put an insole made pf 9/10 oz. leather inside, now I can walk on most any surface without discomfort.

Ned

[Ten Wolves Fiveshooter]

Howdy Bill

      Bill you really know know what you're doing Pard, all your work is beautiful, years ago I use to hunt in moccasins, until I got older and heavier and my feet started bothering me, but for the time they were the most comfortable foot wear I owned, these moccasins were givin to by a good friend, that had them made in a Navajo Village, in 1953, it just so happened that his feet were the same size as mine, so he gave them to me as a friendship gift. I still have them along with some soled high top moccasins, I couldn't get over how well these moc's were made, even with all the use he and I have given them they are still in great shape, here is a picture , they sit in the back ground of a photo I made.

                                           Regards

                                        tEN wOLVES   

[Ace Lungger]

Howdy Ned  ,
I hope that you are feeling better??? I realy thank you for adding your thoughts on the Scout Boot/ Mocassin!! When I go get shoes, because of my back I have to get the lightest shoe and the most plyable sole I can, I have 2 pair of Cowboy boots and I have tried to where them, one pair has a very small heal and i can were them for about 20 mins, the other pair are stove pipe and they kill me 
Again Thanks and get well soon!
Your friend ACE!

TW  ,
Those are cool, i can't believe they are that old and still look that good!! Maybe someday you will be able to wear them again 
Here awhile back some one posted a video of shoe making, and after I watched that, I have a new perpestive of those that make foot wear!
Later Bud
ACE

I want to apolize to all for my spelling!!

[Bodie Bascom]

Great mocassins Bill.  I like the looks of those, a lot.  I guess I am going to have to try to make a pair.

bodie

[Ottawa Creek Bill]

Howdy Bill,

I agree with Feathers. Your Moccasin's are a true work of art! Your Friend will be very proud to wesr them. Thank you for sharing your talents with us.

By the way, do you wet mold the soles to get that shape?

Johnny.....Good to have seen you at the NCOWS national shoot this year! Yes, they are wet molded.......

As you know, I try to use traditional methods when I can. These would have been molded to the wearers foot and wrapped with damp deerskin until dry, usually a half a day or less in the southwest climate.

Because some of these I make are for people not in my area, I do it a Little differently to get the sole shaped.

I'll let you know how I do it at next years NCOWS national shoot.

Bill

[Ottawa Creek Bill]

JD...
Yes it could be done....but I personally don't like to work on other peoples items made by someone else. That said, if I saw the mocs I could tell you if it is feasible. Keep in mind that not all Indian mocs had rawhide soles and hers may be that type.

Ten Wolves...
Those are nice...I was taught by an Old Mescalero Apache Lady that used to come to our council meetings in Michigan. If these were given to you as a gifting item then you have something special....! A lot of those old Navajo mocs are machine sewn and made for the tourist trade, but yours look like a real nice pair.

The soles I use are very heavy white rawhide...a half inch thick on the bottoms...made to wear where you would be around a lot of things that stick you!

Bill

[RollingThunder]

A lot of things that stick you huh?

I never would have guessed that one should wear moccasins while at the car dealership.

Nice work though Bill. Very nice indeed!

[GunClick Rick]

Be proud to own a pair of those,Very nice Mr. Ottawa

[Marshal Will Wingam]

Another beautiful pair, Bill. Those are really fine looking.

TW, those ones your friend gave you are also great looking.

Thanks for the pics, pards.