Wehrmacht Ankle Boots, M37 Mint (W)
Price: $1250
BUY / RESERVE THIS ITEMDescription: Enlisted Wehrmacht issue ankle boots; Mint and well marked on soles; multi-panel, black leather construction boots are roughly, 6.5 inches tall from the top of the heel to the front top The boots uppers are made from one single piece of leather with wrap around ankle area. Boots measure 12 inches from the heel to the toe tip. Soles are complete with all hobnails & heel irons, size and maker marked at instep. Never worn, original leather ties present. Mint example that would be nearly impossible to upgrade and getting rarer!
Background: In 1919 during the Reichswehr era, (National Defence Force, Circa 1919 1933), a revised pattern of the heavy ankle boot was introduced but they were replaced with the tall marching boots in 1922. During the Third Reich era the lace up ankle boots were worn as an optional item with tall leather leggings by Officer’s ranks and with the straight legged, long pants and the drill/work uniform pants by EM/NCO’s primarily for training duties. As a result of concerns about leather shortages regulations in early 1940 prescribed the lace up ankle boots for wear in the field and additional regulations in August 1940, introduced new canvas gaiters to be worn with the lace up, ankle boots and they were issued to all second line troops in a further effort to conserve leather. By 1941 the short, lace up, ankle boots and gaiters were issued to all new recruits in place of the tall boots as a cost and leather saving technique. By 1943 with increased leather shortages the gaiters and lace up, ankle boots were issued in ever larger quantities and production of the tall boots was discontinued altogether, at least for Enlisted personnel.
