Original Civil War Period Boots

Original Civil War Period Boots – This pair of Napoleon style, Civil War period boots are typical war period boots; they are approximately upper calf to knee high, with fabric pulls on the inside of the leg shafts; inked on the fabric pulls, on both pairs, is the last name of the period owner – “Pearce” – unfortunately, not sufficient a clue to determine the war period wearer of the boots. The boots are square-toed and constructed of black, soft leather, which remains in overall good condition, exhibiting some wear induced scuffing. There is a 2-3” horizontal slit in the left boot, in the upper shaft area that is not a hole and does not impact the overall display aspects of the boot. The soles are sewn to the uppers – only about forty percent of the shoes or boots issued during the entire Civil War were pegged; pegs didn’t meet military specs and bootees made with pegs were purchased from the contractors for about seventy cents a pair less ($1.95 versus $1.25) than sewed boots or booties.

As with war period boots, the heels of these boots were originally stacked and Cuban style, with high arches; late 19^th century, rubber heels were affixed to the two layers of original, stacked leather heels, on both boots; the postwar, rubber heels, likely applied due to excessive wear to the original leather heels, have raised lettering that says: “Non Slip – Cat’s Paw Heels”. Many of the boots we see, although purported to be war period, are not; this pair is definitively war period, with postwar reinforced heels.

Measurements: H – 12.5”; Length of foot – 10”