M 1944 Low Shoe Unveiled

[djpool]

Considering the interest I've seen on the topic of low shoes and tropical boots I thought I would show some pictures of a relatively unknown piece of footgear. The M-1944 (US Army designation) low shoe. In order to preclude any discussion on whether it existed I am attaching some pictures of the shoe along with some text that I copied from a US military report.The report was done by the US Army Quartermaster Corp and was completed Sept 45. In compiling the report members of the German Supply Organization from OKH down to Battalion level were interogated. Specific unit logistic personnel were questioned from PZG Div. GD, 2 gjd, 4gjd, 5 gjd,4 fjd, 4ss,9SS, 1 SS,5 SS and 6 SS divisiuons. The report is titled:
GERMAN CLOTHING , EQUIPMENT AND RATIONS
A DISCUSSION OF GERMAN ITEMS WITH PARTICULAR EMPHASIS ON COLD WEATHER OPERATIONS, COMPARISON OF GERMAN ARMY AND US QUARTERMASTER CORPS

Footgear is probably an area that doesn't excite to many folks and is usually only lightly covered in even the best references. The M-1944 Low Shoe is just one of of several types of footgear issued by the German military that has recieved no mention in current references. Here are the pics:

[djpool]

Picture 2

[djpool]

Excerpt Relatng To The Shoes From The Report.

[djpool]

The following pictures are a set of M 44 shoes belonging to my friend Bill Petz, at least until I can trade them out of him.They differ slightly from the pictures shown in the report but are without question an original set. The major difference is Bills has 6 eyelets vs 8 in the report and the rivet near the eyelets. Any way here they are.Any comments are welcomed. Regards Jim

[djpool]

2

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3

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4

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5

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6

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7

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The End

[Michael Kuligowski]

AWESOME !!!!!! thanks for sharing !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[derspiess63]

[QUOTE=djpool]The End[/QUOT

The End

Hi Jim,
first of all thank you very much for sharing such a rare bird!What we have here is a pair of M 44 low shoes of the type that should have eventually replaced the Bergschuhe and that should have become of general issue within all the German Armed Forces.You've surely noticed the notch on the heel that should have accomodated the ski binding.
Like many other clothing and leather items they were mainly produced in Northern Italy and patterned after the Regio Esercito Montain shoes which were state of the art at the time.In my collection I own two pairs of them,one is brand new and missing the rear grooves for the ski binding and the GJ style nails while the second,stamped with SS runes inside were the heels rest and dated 1945 has the very same nail disposition.
They weren't the latest pattern though,for in my collection I have a pair of shoes which are very similar to our three pairs but which have a felt band sewn to the upper hedge ans no exposed toecap.
These shoes are very,very interesting and we don't need the original report concerning them to ascertain their originality,just take a look at the way they're made and their typical details and they'll speak for themselves...in German!
They're as beautiful and original as they come and it's been a pleasure to see them posted here!
Let the"experten"debate Jim,let them discuss whether they existed or not...my first pair comes from the estate of an SS-mann,been used during the Italian Campaign and stamped with runes inside while the other was "liberated"by an Italian farmer in a former Wehrmacht warehouse immediately after the War!
GREAT,GREAT,GREAT,GREAT FIND!

Manuel

[djpool]

Hi Jim,
first of all thank you very much for sharing such a rare bird!What we have here is a pair of M 44 low shoes of the type that should have eventually replaced the Bergschuhe and that should have become of general issue within all the German Armed Forces.You've surely noticed the notch on the heel that should have accomodated the ski binding.
As many other clothing and leather items they were mainly produced in Northern Italy and patterned after the Regio Esercito Montain shoes which were state of the art at the time.In my collection I own two pairs of them,one is brand new and missing the rear grooves for the ski binding and the GJ style nails while the second,stamped with SS runes inside were the heels rest and dated 1945 has the very same nail disposition.
They weren't the latest pattern though,for in my collection I have a pair of shoes which are very similar to our three pairs but which have a felt band sewn to the upper hedge ans no exposed toecap.
These shoes are very,very interesting and we don't need the original report concerning them to ascertain their originality,just take a look at the way they're made and their typical details and they'll speak for themselves...in German!
They're as beautiful and original as they come and it's been a pleasure to see them posted here!
Let the"experten"debate Jim,let them discuss whether they existed or not...my first pair comes from the estate of an SS-mann,been used during the Italian Campaign and stamped with runes inside while the other was "liberated"by an Italian farmer in a former Wehrmacht warehouse immediately after the War!
GREAT,GREAT,GREAT,GREAT FIND!

Manuel

Manuel,

Thanks for the enthuisiastic reply.

I agree that some members would endorse these as German without documentation but most would remain skeptical. Kai winkler posted a picture of a SS soldier wearing some unusual insignia and some commented that the photo was doctored. Of course it wasn't, but the point is all the reproductions have made lots of collectors "gun shy". Given the cost of collecting I can sympathize.

I think Italy was a testing ground for a lot of experimental German footgear. The 5th Mountain Division also tested Mountain boots with replaceable rubber soles during 44-45. They were well recieved but the wars end stopped their introduction Army wide.

So your in the enviable position of being able to run into rare footgear at flea markets etc.

I would love to see pictures of your M 44 shoes posted here.

Regards Jim

[Jos L C]

Hi Jim,

A very nice pair of shoes you've there..!
Interesting to see these shoes have a nice brown color ,very nice..

Could be used for Luftwaffe too.., a lot of pictures are showing pilots wearing these kind of shoes with their flightpants..

Great

Jos.