Manschaftstiefel EM/NCO Boots - Opinions Needed

[floriskok]

Hello Guys,

I would like to have some opinions on these boots.

And correct me if I'm wrong, but these boots are for
EM/NCO soldiers and not for officers?

Thanks in advance!

Floris

[pak 40]

These boots are like you mentioned for Em men ore Nco's.
But since they have no hobnails these could be used for Kustenartillerie,drivers of verhicles,ect,,,
looks like a fine nice paire to me, are the marked ?

[besslein]

yes EM boots.

[JPhilip]

original privately purchased EM/NCO marching boots

[besslein]

original privately purchased EM/NCO marching boots

why do you think the are privat purchased?

[Germania88]

Why would any EM or NCO purchase his own boots? If they get them for free at any Kp. Tross?

For me they are good EM boots. Hobnails were not added if they just came out of the fabric. Hobnails were added later in the units, this is not necessary done added hobnails(panzer etc didn't need hobnails).

[Steve Sherlock]

I agree with J Philip. Issue enlisted boots weren't sewn around the top edge, but rough cut. Also, the top part of the boots seem to be better quality leather than that found in issue boots.

It also wouldn't surprise me if they had been completely resoled at one time and then worn. It's obvious the boots have seen a lot of wear, yet the iron on the heel shows little wear at the rear. They may have had hobnails on them at one time, but not after being resoled. Perhaps they were worn after the war.

Steve

[kass]

I agree with J Philip. Issue enlisted boots weren't sewn around the top edge, but rough cut. Also, the top part of the boots seem to be better quality leather than that found in issue boots.

Steve

Hi
Some boots did have leather lining in the shaft. Stitched just like the boots in the pictures.
Factory made EM/NCO. You can see faintly machine pegged waist.

[Theoderich]

Why would any EM or NCO purchase his own boots? If they get them for free at any Kp. Tross?
.

Maybe because they fit better!? EM`s and much more NCO`s bought their own boots, mostly higher boots made of smoother leather and good quality! And they didn`t got a pair of new boots at any Tross, i know a story where a soldier had forgot his GM in the train from the Heimaturlaub, he got 3 days in the "Bunker" and then he had to pay the mask! It was not easy to get new equipment!!!

[Gran Sasso]

I know a story where a soldier had forgot his GM in the train from the Heimaturlaub, he got 3 days in the "Bunker" and then he had to pay the mask! It was not easy to get new equipment!!!

That reminds me about a story of my grandfather: he was a Luftwaffe-soldier, and arrived one day in 1944 by train in Berlin. In the rush and mess to leave the train, he forgot his gasmask, too. He realized he was i big trouble, and dont wanna spend another 3 days in the "bunker" (done so already, as he arrived late in his barraks after being on leave).

So he entered the Wehrmacht "lost and found"-office at the station, and was just about to declare his loss, as an army offc. rushed in, throw his gear in the corner, and pushed my grandpa (rank Gefreitr) aside. My grandpa stepped back, very angry ("what an asshole" - thats been his exacly thoughts), as his eyes noticed the offc.´s gasmask on top of his fieldgear... Silently he left the office - but now his trouble was not over, as this can was green, not blue... This night the weapons NCO painted it over for him...

[Gene T]

Very interesting anecdote, Gran Sasso. I can easily picture your grandfather as Kowalski, and that officer as Witterer. It would have made a comedic plot twist in 08/15.


Gene T

[John Hodgin]

Wonderful story Patrick. Was your grandfather also Bavarian? Certainly sounds like he was. Would like to have known him!

Best,
John

[Germania88]

Yes offcourse some NCO's bought other higher, 'good looking' boots. But these boots are 100% EM issued boots.
They are not shortned or restiched. Like i said before not all boots were issued with hobnails, this was done in the kompanie. ofcourse boots were resoled during the war! during the use, they didn't throw it away.

My grandfather served in the Waffen ss along the 'Sturmbrigade Langemarck', He told me, he went to the Kp. tross and asked a pair of new "stiefel" when his old pair was f*cked up...and that's what they gave him a new pair(at the Zhitomir front)