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Boots
Dec 19, 2021 5:37:17 GMT -5
Post by can on Dec 19, 2021 5:37:17 GMT -5
On my roughout '43's I dubbed them with Snow Shield by Jobsite ( basically beeswax waterproofing) and then polished them.
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Boots
Dec 19, 2021 9:28:59 GMT -5
can likes this
Post by craigtx on Dec 19, 2021 9:28:59 GMT -5
I use Obenouf's on mine. The important thing is that you use a good dubbin, and once a year I oil my boots.
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topbreak
Dans le théâtre de la guerre
Posts: 91
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Boots
Dec 20, 2021 13:53:32 GMT -5
Post by topbreak on Dec 20, 2021 13:53:32 GMT -5
Now for a question about laces. The boots I got came with leather laces, which are basic and unfortunately not cut with any real precision. What types of laces would be period and setting correct for Indochina / Algerie?
(Thank God that insoles are INSIDE the shoe.)
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topbreak
Dans le théâtre de la guerre
Posts: 91
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Boots
Dec 20, 2021 16:25:24 GMT -5
Post by topbreak on Dec 20, 2021 16:25:24 GMT -5
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Boots
Dec 21, 2021 11:44:11 GMT -5
Post by lew on Dec 21, 2021 11:44:11 GMT -5
The issued oil was nothing special. Neatsfoot, I believe. I recommend using a grease that will last longer so the leather stays conditioned better and you don't have to apply it as often. I use Pecard's. Sno Seal and Obenauf's are also good-to-go.
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topbreak
Dans le théâtre de la guerre
Posts: 91
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Boots
Dec 21, 2021 13:12:32 GMT -5
lew likes this
Post by topbreak on Dec 21, 2021 13:12:32 GMT -5
Finally found a jar of Sno Seal and some replacement boot laces. Found it strange that such items could be hard to find. New rule of thumb, if they sell Nikes, they don't sell shoelaces or waterproofing that isn't an aerosol.
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Boots
Dec 22, 2021 10:01:07 GMT -5
Post by lew on Dec 22, 2021 10:01:07 GMT -5
Absolutely. Most of the folks buying {insert trendy name here} shoes aren't going to be terribly worried about waterproofing or leather laces, hence little economic reason for the average shoe store to carry those products.
Most of the good stuff- treatments and leather laces- can be found on slamazon.
Happy Holidays!
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topbreak
Dans le théâtre de la guerre
Posts: 91
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Boots
Dec 22, 2021 11:14:22 GMT -5
lew and can like this
Post by topbreak on Dec 22, 2021 11:14:22 GMT -5
Merci, and to you and yours.
I'm now figuring out how to prepare shoes whose design is older than my grandparents.
They really should warn prospective re-enactors of just what a rabbit hole this hobby can be.
(Muttered as I burrow further and further down said rabbit hole.)
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Post by lew on Dec 27, 2021 11:49:44 GMT -5
Merci, and to you and yours. I'm now figuring out how to prepare shoes whose design is older than my grandparents. They really should warn prospective re-enactors of just what a rabbit hole this hobby can be.
(Muttered as I burrow further and further down said rabbit hole.) What do you need help with? Should be able to grease them up before wearing if they're dry, and then breaking them in.
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topbreak
Dans le théâtre de la guerre
Posts: 91
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Boots
Dec 27, 2021 12:36:35 GMT -5
lew likes this
Post by topbreak on Dec 27, 2021 12:36:35 GMT -5
That's just me grousing about doing homework. First coat of Sno Seal on the darker one, the other is as received from WPG. Two coats of Sno Seal and one coat of Kiwi Brown. These pictures were taken with my relatively dumb phone, so please excuse the resolution. Now for the bonus questions. What were appropriate boot laces for the period, leather or fabric? Did the French have a regulation method for lacing boots, and was this method actually worn in the field or was it reserved for walking out and the parade ground?
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Post by lew on Dec 28, 2021 11:14:52 GMT -5
Good work. Those kicks look great.
Leather laces were standard with leather shoes/boots up until the Mle. 52 boots. I don't think there was any suggested lacing pattern.
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topbreak
Dans le théâtre de la guerre
Posts: 91
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Boots
Dec 28, 2021 11:49:53 GMT -5
Post by topbreak on Dec 28, 2021 11:49:53 GMT -5
First time doing such work, and glad to hear that I'm on the right track. Now on the subject of soles, I would assume that hobnails would predominate, but I've also read that boots were also resoled with rubber soles. Is that an accurate assessment?
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Post by lew on Dec 29, 2021 10:21:13 GMT -5
Most would have hobnails, but, yes, many were later resoled with Mle. 52 boot soles. I can't imagine how badly hobnails would have sucked in Algeria.
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topbreak
Dans le théâtre de la guerre
Posts: 91
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Boots
Dec 29, 2021 13:29:28 GMT -5
Post by topbreak on Dec 29, 2021 13:29:28 GMT -5
In the bled, I doubt it would be a problem. In the djebel, it would depend on the terrain. Smooth bare rock and pavement would likely put people on their asses, if they were lucky. If I've read correctly, the hobnailed boots, French & British "ammunition" models, were only common early in Algeria and in training. More than a few legionnaires have been put on their asses while at Sidi Bel Abbes, but I somehow doubt that many of those falls could be attributed to their footwear.
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Post by lew on Dec 30, 2021 12:01:47 GMT -5
Simon Murray described, as part of his training at Sidi bel Abbes in 1960, running in leather shoes with rubber soles. There's no way in hell I would wear hobnailed boots anywhere around here in the SW. Of course, if one were issued those boots, Pataugas were always an option. Those work fine for scrambling over boulders.
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topbreak
Dans le théâtre de la guerre
Posts: 91
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Boots
Dec 30, 2021 14:13:22 GMT -5
Post by topbreak on Dec 30, 2021 14:13:22 GMT -5
Somebody needs to pester the crew at WPG into doing Pataugas.
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Boots
Jan 9, 2024 17:45:17 GMT -5
lew likes this
Post by bellumbill on Jan 9, 2024 17:45:17 GMT -5
Hello guys! Happy to be back on the forum after some years away. Question, looking to buy Palladium pataugas but the disc on the side is not black, which is not correct right?
Best, Bill K.
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Boots
Jan 12, 2024 10:31:47 GMT -5
lew likes this
Post by craigtx on Jan 12, 2024 10:31:47 GMT -5
Correct, the disc should be black.
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Post by lew on Jan 16, 2024 11:40:33 GMT -5
Yep, black. Though I've seen some that may have been very dark green. Might be a product of the plastic aging, though.
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Boots
Jan 17, 2024 6:28:43 GMT -5
lew likes this
Post by earlymb on Jan 17, 2024 6:28:43 GMT -5
Is it only the disk that should be black, or all rubber parts? Maybe use tire black or a black ink?
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Post by lew on Jan 17, 2024 11:57:21 GMT -5
All rubber components should be black. Tire black might work, but coloring rubber is far beyond my areas of expertise, so take that for what it's worth.
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