Canvas Gaiters

[Ralph Heinz]

Gentlemen,

Can someone tell me about canvas gaiters as used with low lace up boots? I've seen two basic types: one with a leather bottom edge and another with reinforcing leather half moon shaped pieces stitched to the inside where they would go over the front of the boot. This 2nd type doesn't have the thin leather edge across the entire bottom. Does anyone know which is the earlier type? My guess would be that the reinforced type was the later model as an improvement.

I've seen them in green with natural leather straps (that were listed as Police); feldgrau with black straps; and LW blue/gray.

Does anyone know anything definite about these? Reference books are largely silent on canvas gaiters other than merely mentioning them but without any real definitive information about differences and variations.

Danke schon.

[CSP]

Ralph:
To my knowledge the wartime examples do not have the thin leather band along the edge. These are post war as the style continued to be worn by the Bundeswehr.
The all canvas with the leather half-moon as you describe are the wartime style. One can find these with brown or black leather or a combination. There was basically only one style but the shade of color on the canvas can run from Luftwaffe grey-blue to shades of field-grey/green.
The stitching and buckle configuration on wartime differes from the post war styles in that the buckle/strap keeper should be all leather on war time examples...with the distinctive heavy white cotton thread stitching. A metal/aluminum, roller on the keeper is an indication of a ppost war style.
Hope this helps.
Scott

[Ralph Heinz]

Scott,

Danke schon for your well-thought out reply. If you have access to Manion's catalog web site, check item E11004, a pair of faded well-worn canvas gaiters with the bottom leather edge but the war time buckle combination you described. This feature matches another set, #11018, that has the half moon pieces and no edge. My dilemma is that the first set has wartime characteristics in the straps and buckles and white thread.

I've been looking at period photos from N. Africa in 1942 and seeing gaiters worn with low canvas/leather boots but can't see enough details to learn anything definitive -- indeed some may even be wearing captured British gaiters. RKT Major Georg Briel was photographed several times wearing them in Oct. 1942.

Again thanks for your reply. Reference books barely mention gaiters and don't describe them in any detail.

[CSP]

I quickly looked at Manions by pullig up "gaiters". Of the dozen or so listings, I do not really see anything that I like for originality. However, I suspect that #7998-8784 might be the only authentic set. Would need to see it closer to have a firm opinion.
Scottt