Army Shoes

[WoodenNutmeg]

This is the most complicated and labour intensive way to make bootees but the way the army preferred and the way described in the QM Manual 1865!

Feel free to jump all over this, as there is nothing wrong with clarification...

Now, I understand that the method and style in which these are to be constructed is of the period, but if the 1865 Quartermaster's Manual preferences for construction will be represented by this run of footwear, then aren't we talking about the end of the war here?

By consequence, the question then becomes an issue of desire versus that of reality. That is to say: What were the government's preferences for military footwear construction prior to 1865 and does it match that of what is being proposed and actually reproduced here today? If these shoes match only 1865 specifications, then what good are they in representing Federal issued footwear between the years 1861 and 1864, other than the fact that they are of the period in their style and construction?

So, while I admit that my knowledge of footwear specifications issued by the U.S government during the war is limited, what I do know, is that specifications with certain dates attached to them have the potential to render many reproductions impractical, particularly items with late-war contracts and/or patents.

[J.H.Berger]

Bryan, welted shoes were the norm at the beginning of and prior to the war. The government accepted pegged shoes and machine sewn shoes due to the need to supply troops. Philadelphia Depot did only issue sewn shoes and boots( whether machine sewn or handsewn/welted I cannot state)Apparently they even accepted some shoes made on straight lasts( no left and right, see Echoes of Glory, there is a pair pictured in there) although US stopped aquiring them in 1851 when the shoes were made for left and right.
Even if it is tricky to use a 1865 manual as reference it does not mean that it is all too late for early war impression. The described blouses and trousers for example have seen no change during the war.


I have to say that I am really interested in pictures of these shoes now!!!!

[Benedict]

I have to say that I am really interested in pictures of these shoes now!!!!

I would also like to know if they have arrived at the respective buyers and if there are any reviews yet.

[Benedict]

Nothing yet?

[estephenson]

I have heard there have been a few delivered.

[WoodenNutmeg]

Any AC members on that list of recipients?

[Benedict]

Any AC members on that list of recipients?

If yes, one might guess they would announce it here ... Therefore: still waiting for reviews.

[bhutton]

I ordered a pair of these when Chris first made the announcement. Received them approx six months ago. They appear to be very well made and fit me alright. I've not worn them on a campaign event but have had them on all weekend at a few mainstream events,mostly I wear my favotite MB&S brogans. Had some extra money at the time and just had to see what this project would produce, not disappointed.The craftsmen at Williamsburg followed up to see if I was satisfied with the shoes which I appreciated. Just can't bring myself to tramp through the mud and streams with them quite yet. I've attached a few photos.The heel rims and nails I had done elsewear.

[Curt-Heinrich Schmidt]

Hallo!

Just an aside...

The 1865 Quartermaster's Manual was a compilation not a publication.

IMHO, it represents a give-and-take, push-and-pull snap shot in time as to what the Government was trying to establish as standards not so much at the beginning of a process but rather at the end.
Meaning, there is an evolutionary process at work in the era before, during, and after the War where there are desired ordnance and quartermaster patterns, models, and specification for things- and then an on-going process of setting the standard, looking to what degree of deviation from a standard they were willing to abide in the interest of serviceability and availability, and then over time reining the horse back in through the issuance of "general orders" and "circulars."
And every so often, attempting to set the benchmarks and formalize "drifts" in practice and to codify and standardize what was being done in the field into manuals.

One example of this can be found in the evolution of belt loops on cartridge boxes.

IMHO still, the "manual" serves as the window into the end of a process, however the examination and study of manuals, general orders, circulars, AND original items is more illustrative if not definitive of the Period than the unpublished 1865 Manual alone.

Others' mileage will vary...

Curt

[Benedict]

Thanks for sharing the pictures. Would be interesting to know how they will hold up in the field!

[tmattimore]

I am with Curt. The "manual is the end of the process". Consider one fact alone. from 1861 to 1865 the QMD purcahsed some 12,000,000 pair of shoes. From 1941 to 1945 The qmd purchased 9,000,000 pair of combat footwear (exclusive of dress shoes,paratrooper boots, wac and waaf, etc.) Depending on which numbers used between 1 to 2 million Mckay sewn shoes and possibly as high as 2 million welt sewn, and the rest pegged. Almost all the shoes left over at the end were pegged or mckay. The QMD did not purchase another pair until 1872-73 despite the issue to the freedmans bureau and the BIA. Take your pick what to wear.
Tom