Square Toed Boots

[Bugscuffle]

I am sure that I saw a thread around here somewhere not too long ago about square toed boots, but I can't find it now. Please tell me, are they period correct or not? If so, for what period? I do NOT like the looks of them at all, but if that's what they wore back in the day, then maybe I'll think about getting some.

[St. George]

They're period, all right - in continuous use from the Civil War up until the late 1890s.

They're comfortable (greater toe room) and are good when you're on your feet for long times.

Just don't look for a pair of 'harness' boots like Dexter made in the 1970's - or if you find a pair, then remove the harness and they'll work.

Vaya,

Scouts Out!

[Bugscuffle]

Harness boots, a perfect way to uglify an already homely boot.  To my eye a nice looking pair of boots would be the tall, round toed cavalry boots, no mule ears, no extensions to protect the knee, no elasticised gussets on the shaft and just plain soft (calfskin?) high polished leather without the fancy stitching. I wish that I could find a pair that I wouldn't have to sell my soul to buy.

[St. George]

The cathedral-style stitching on the shaft is there to help stiffen the boot for comfort - you'll see it on pretty much every boot of that style worn during the period.

Civil War and Indian War Cavalry boots had squared toes - rounding later in the 1890's, as the styles changed.

As to the elasticized gussets and Mule Ears - I think you're referring to 'The Fort' boot - and those Mule Ears and elasticized  gussets help today's over-sized cowboys to be able to pull over their enhanced calves - the gussets replicating the older Cathedral stitching fairly well, and those Mule Ears can be cut off off, and canvas or leather pulls installed inside those boots.

For what you seem to want - there are custom bootmakers, but they're pricy, and not really worth the money if you can't also wear them for regular use.

Good Luck!

Vaya,

Scouts Out!

[Tascosa Joe]

I had a pair custom made by Olathe without the stiching in the toe, they are similar to what you are talking about.  They are 3 piece instead of 2 piece which is not correct to the period but I was shooting SASS at the time.  I think Olathe is still in business.

T-Joe

[G.W. Strong]

They are 3 piece instead of 2 piece which is not correct to the period but I was shooting SASS at the time. 

I assume by three piece boots you mean one with a vamp piece that is seperate from the front of the top of the boot. This form was being used in the period we cover. The US model 1887 boots for Cavalry use were made of three pieces. A vamp, a quarter and a shaft. The shaft has a rear seam.

[Tascosa Joe]

That is good to know.  I thought they were later, although 1887 is almost later (1890's).

[G.W. Strong]

Footwear is one of my areas of study and I am presently researching boots of the 1870s. I will let you know if I ever find evidence of the two piece vamp and shaft in that period. I know the Model 1876 army boot was made with a one-piece vamp/shaft but I believe some private purchase boots may have been made with a vamp seam. I have not got solid documentation for that yet. Although I am focusing on military boots I am also searching for documentation of civilian boots of the same period.

[yeti76620]

Harness boots, a perfect way to uglify an already homely boot.  To my eye a nice looking pair of boots would be the tall, round toed cavalry boots, no mule ears, no extensions to protect the knee, no elasticised gussets on the shaft and just plain soft (calfskin?) high polished leather without the fancy stitching. I wish that I could find a pair that I wouldn't have to sell my soul to buy.

This statement is ALL GOOD for those with "little feet" {NOT to be confused with the Band Little Feet}.....  Absolutely nothing is good for us fellas with 13 DD or E stompers...  Square toes and short uppers for me unless there are some kind of lacing (LOL...  zipper,,, )!!!

Yeti

[G.W. Strong]

This statement is ALL GOOD for those with "little feet" {NOT to be confused with the Band Little Feet}.....  Absolutely nothing is good for us fellas with 13 DD or E stompers...  Square toes and short uppers for me unless there are some kind of lacing (LOL...  zipper,,, )!!!

Yeti

I feel your pain. Mine are only 10s but they are EEEE wide. I also have enormous calves. I have to custom make all my footwear and they work only for me. No one else is sized like me!   

[yeti76620]

I feel your pain. Mine are only 10s but they are EEEE wide. I also have enormous calves. I have to custom make all my footwear and they work only for me. No one else is sized like me!   

AAHhhh....  A Brethren "Bigfoot"!  Yep...  stompers need tree trunks to move 'em 'round...     

Pleased to meet ya Sir..

Yeti

[liten]

 ive got nice slim sexy leggs and take std 10 d  

[G.W. Strong]

 The first of the 85 pattern boots  had the square toe.  The 87 pattern boots , were the beginning of bit more rounded style toe

I am not an expert in footwear from this period (yet) but I don' think those are '87 boots. I wish they were because they would be easier to make reproductions of with all the pieces. I would love to know what those boots actually are.

[WaddWatsonEllis]

Hi,

Here is the web address for the  Fort Western Style boot ... and it is SO comfortable that I bought a second pair in the brown ...


http://www.fortwestern.com/index/page/product/product_id/408398/category_id/47/product_name/Fort+Frontier%26reg%3B+Men%27s+Nebraskan+Mule+Ear+Shooter+Boots

And as far as the Cathedral stitch/Two piece fronts, I just put the spurs on with a buckleless spur strap that covers the area  ,,,, and I am an 1850's docent and wear the boots regularly in this setting  ...



I also dare anyone to find a pair of boots with these features at this price (as of 2012)! And, like the web site advertises, they go up to a 14 (and their sizing is 'generous') and D to EE .....

[Delmonico]

And, like the web site advertises, they go up to a 14 (and their sizing is 'generous') and D to EE .....

15 in D and EE.  We are out of a bunch of sizes but we should have the fill-in's on the shelf in a couple weeks.  We had a problem with getting a batch made but that is solved and the shortage is about at an end.

[WaddWatsonEllis]

Del,

I cannot say enough nice things about these boots ... as a reenactor I am in the boots for long periods ... sometimes up to a ten hour day. That is on an right knee replacement and 62 years of aging.

I have to say that these are some of the most comfortable slip on boots that I have ever worn .... and truth be told, it's competitors were worn on much younger legs, and I don't think they would be very comfortable now ...

TTFN,

[Don Nix]

I have been wearing boots built by the Sanchez family for  more than twenty years actually closer to thirty years now. They were known as the Chanmpion Boot co. in El Paso . But now their son Joey has  taken over the boot business and expanded it and it is known now as Caboots
or Champion Attitude boots.
They have made me everything from dress/uniform boots to working bukaroo boots to packers and every pair fit like a glove and wore like steel. I even wore the tall high top boots when I had to help gather cattle during the big flood of 91 and wound up swimming our horses  in the Red River. After it was over  I just laid back and drained out the water and kept going until everthing got dry.
In 2001 i called Joey and had him make me a pair of  stove top cavalry boots. i was on my way to perform at the Cowby gathering in Las Cruces and told him i'd pick the boots up when I got to El aso.
When I got there he had the boots waiting and I'm still wearing them though they've been resoled and heeled .
They make ready made boots and custom fikts and the prces are reasonable if yu take into acount that the boots fit  like a new sock and feel like it too.I can wear my boots with no socks and they feel like a moccasin. Pretty good for a cowboy boot. plus although they run about $475 a pair if yu figure how long they last it works out to less than a pair of good athletic shoes.
I know other boots are as good and maybe cheaper but these are worth looking at if you wear boots .Just my two cents worth.

[Cactus Rope]

Gents
Here is a reference for uniforms and equipment of the period which you are speaking. Should be able to find at your local library.

U.S. Army Uniforms and Equipment, 1889
Specifications for Clothing, Camp and Garrison Equipage, and Clothing and Equipage Materials
By the Quartermaster General of the Army

Also has dates of adoption.

Hope this helps.

[G.W. Strong]

Here is a photo of the 1887 boots in McChristian Vol I of Uniforms, Ams and Equiptment... Notice the difference of the piece that covers the rear seam. It only comes as far down as the heel quarters and stops or runs beneathe the quarters. The one posted above covers the heel quarters which may not actually be a full quarters and might be made from two pieces (if there are two does that make them heel eigths   )

By the way, in reference to the two piece vamp question above, these are evidence of the method of construction in the 1880s.

[G.W. Strong]

Hopalong they are either the 87 or the 89  pattern boots .  this is a pair of 85 boots,

I would love a larger pictue of that. do you happen to have one?