Original British WWII Hobnail “Ammunition Boots” Matching Pair With Matching 1944 Dated Leg Wraps Original Items

Original Items: Only One Set Available. This is a fantastic pair of semi polished black leather hobnail boots also known as ammunition boots. The boots appear to be a matched size 6L and retains the leather laces as well as what appears to be all hobnails. The 1944 matched leg/ankle gaiters are in wonderful condition and add a lovely appearance to the boots while displayed.

Ammunition boots were unlined ankle-boots, usually with leather laces, iron heel-plate and toe-plate, and an iron-studded leather sole. The vamp (front) and quarters (sides) were often made of a contrasting type of leather than the toe case (toe cap) and counter (heel cap), one made of “pebble-grained” (dimpled) leather and the other of smooth leather. They were designed to be hard-wearing and long-lasting rather than comfortable. The hobnail-studded soles made a loud crunching sound when the wearer was marching, earning them the nickname “crunchies”.

Prior to the First World War, British soldiers were issued two pairs of boots, both made with a brown finish that had to be polished black. There was a brief period (1908 to 1914) where they were issued one pair that was hand-polished in black for parade and drill, and one pair finished in raw brown hide for fatigue duty and field service. World War I forced the reversion to brown leather boots for Other Ranks, and a simplification of the patterns, but polished black boots were still worn by some individuals or units out of habit. Officers, who purchased their own uniforms, were still required to wear polished brown boots and matching leather Sam Browne belt with their field service uniform, marking them apart from their men. Officers’ boots had heel plates, but lacked the sole studs and toe plates because they could afford to have the soles replaced. The later Boots, General Service adopted in 1927 were issued from the factory in black leather.

The boots are in worn but overall excellent condition given the age and the environment in which they would have been worn. They both have visible markings which includes a clear size stamp of 6L. There is crazing in the leather and slight tearing but they are otherwise in wonderful condition.

Comes more than ready for further research and display.