I've had these since the early 80's. Are they issue or commercial knock-offs? Thanks, Ron.
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IMHO Commercial ones, but widely used by the troops.Comment
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Thanks.
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I have a pair that are nearly identical to these, with the exception of the soles (the tread pattern on mine followed more closely that of the issued boots). They have the same chrome-tanned upper and vegetable-tanned, lightly padded lining, with an internal heel counter. I bought mine at a Lausanne surplus shop in '81 or '82, and still remember the box they came in - generic white cardboard, with the words "Kampfstiefel, neuer Art" plus size on a sticker and nothing else, no graphics, no brand name, no country of origin. They were sold alongside a slightly taller twin-buckled version (similar to the French boots but not identical) that came in the same white box. I was actually interested in the twin-buckles, which sported the familiar (Vibram style) tread pattern as seen on yours, but these were cheaper...
Neither of the offerings were actual surplus; however, under the same shelves where these were stacked was a bunch of grungy-looking BW Knobelbecher, but I recall they were more expensive than these new-made boots, and I for sure would have felt funny wearing a pair of jackboots to school... Nevertheless, the seeds of my psychosis were sewn then and there, as I did buy multiple pairs of them many years later - to put them on a shelf at home, which more and more resembles a store shelf.
The soft upper and buttery lining were probably two of the reasons troops preferred these commercial lookalikes over their issued model. I think they were built around a comfortably-shaped last, too, rather reminiscent of the Corcoran, but somewhat roomier. I was told by a veteran that they were even popular with US soldiers stationed in Germany at that time.
Mine are no longer in any kind of shape to be in a bedroom, much less standing on a bed.
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They have been in storage for years. I'm going to try to sell them.Comment
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