IT ankle boots for LW soldiers on Sudfront

[17thairborne]

Two questions,

1. Did the LW issue Italian manufactured boots for their troops on the southern front

2. Are these IT ankle boots, or post war something else. I believe the rough out was not an IT manufacturing technique, but cannot confirm.

[Rheinmetall]

You will see in some period photos where there are Italian boots being worn by LW troops in Italy. However, the posted boots you show I do not believe are of Italian manufacture.

[GAMS1]

Working boots with reinforced toe cap .
Not italian made ...
Nick

[me6_130]

Any pics of the soles? Perhaps Post war Czech?

Carles

[17thairborne]

Gentlemen,
Thank you for confirming my suspicions about these boots, and for confirming that IT manufactured boots are fine for a LW Sudfront display.

Here are the soles:

[teka]

czech indeed...

The Waffen-SS also wore Italian ankle boots between 1943 and 1945, especially the Leibstandarte.

Cheers

[17thairborne]

teka,
thanks mate!

[17thairborne]

Here is the next inbound pair. (I did not purchase the others due to my suspicion and your confirmations...thanks) I am convinced these are original IT WW2 issue. They have all of the characteristics of M32 boots such as sewing, the rivets, the construction and toe cap. The hobnail pattern is different, but I see many non-standard hobnail patterns on the IT boots.

I believe the stamp is 1944 and in the center D.I.C. I cannot make the rest out, and will post a better image when they arrive.

[17thairborne]

Can anyone make out this stamp and its meaning?

[grndevil44]

these ones do appear Italian, with the curved toe cap and side stud/rivet,

here is a link to a pair I found last year
http://dev.wehrmacht-awards.com/foru...d.php?t=829252

also in this link you will see some FJ wearing these italian boots

http://dev.wehrmacht-awards.com/foru...=italian+boots

also a link here to my FJ in Italy impression

http://dev.wehrmacht-awards.com/foru...light=fj+italy

[17thairborne]

John,
Very nice response. Thanks. The pair that you acquired also have a different hobnail pattern. It seems it was an opportunity for cobblers to show their hob nail style! You made a great purchase, and the images you shared show for sure the M32 in wear in Italy by LW soldiers. Thanks very much.

Now to decipher the DIC stamp.

[grndevil44]

John,
Very nice response. Thanks. The pair that you acquired also have a different hobnail pattern. It seems it was an opportunity for cobblers to show their hob nail style! You made a great purchase, and the images you shared show for sure the M32 in wear in Italy by LW soldiers. Thanks very much.

Now to decipher the DIC stamp.

will take another look at mine for stamps, closer look yours do appear to be 44, perhaps the italian forum might be able to shed some light for you?
yes a picture speaks volumes, if you go through Bills thread on Italian camo items in the fj section (I think I might have spotted a few more there)

[17thairborne]

The IT boots arrived today. They are quite large, and in great condition except for some wear to one tongue.

[17thairborne]

I finally deciphered most of the stamp. I suspect the D.I.C. is some inspector stamp??

[Italo Balbo]

I finally deciphered most of the stamp. I suspect the D.I.C. is some inspector stamp??

It would be "Opificio Militare" (Military Factory)
And it's not D.I.C. but DIC.,which stands for "December";December 1944!
HTH