Rough Outs or Russet Service Shoes...

[Biltmore Bob]

I have decided to get some service shoes from WWII Impressions. I like both of the aforementioned styles. I don't reinact, I just want a pair of nice service shoes from the period to finish off my 30s working man look. I think either pair would fit the bill. Here's my look...khakis, chambray shirt, web belt with brass military slide buckle and 8 1/4 cap. I am now leaning toward the smooth leather cap toe Army Russet Service Shoe, but I still like the rough outs. I only have enough for one pair right now. Whatcha think?

 

[Matt Deckard]

The Russets pass easily as a civilian work boot from the 20's to the 50's. The rough outs are unmistakably military to me though you don't have to worry about the leather getting scuffed.

 

[airfrogusmc]

Hey Bob,
Juan WWII Impressions just e-mailed me and said that they should be getting the USMC service shoes early next year. I think I'll hold out till then.

 

[Biltmore Bob]

Semper Fi Mac...

I will be using them for work, and the USMC shoes have leather soles. Other than that I think they are approximatly the same. I am going to need the composite rubber soles. But thanks for the heads up...

 

[MJL]

The Russets pass easily as a civilian work boot from the 20's to the 50's. The rough outs are unmistakably military to me though you don't have to worry about the leather getting scuffed.

In the imediate post WWII years the military issue shoes WERE the footware worn by many men in the USA. In many cases these men were not required to turn in certain items as they returned to the USA and these items of clothing ended up being used on work sites, College campuses, etc. I have seen many photos of my family members wearing bits of US issue kit as they worked the farm. Sadly, I have been told that many of the actual combat uniforms were destroyed before the service personel were repatrioted to the USA. As a result the combat uniforms are much harder to find than the Class C uniform that was not worn as often. Same thing goes for the blue denim work uniform of the era. Of course a lot of guys bought surplus bits of uniform after the war as surplus was everywhere until the 70s or later. You might be interested to know that the Soviets sent their boys/girls home in their combat uniforms and these were commonly worn in the USSR until they fell off their backs. The ranks were removed, the decorations kept on and the uniforms were worn for at least a decade due to shortages in the textile industry.

 

[Vladimir Berkov]

The same was true with the German uniforms. Postwar Germany/Austria had huge clothing shortages which were felt especially during the winter months. Thus you would often see German civilians/veterans wearing German military caps, greatcoats and such after the war with the insignia removed.

 

[Biltmore Bob]

I ordered the Cap Toe Russets...let y'all know when they come in.

 

[Biltmore Bob]

The Russet Service Shoes came today...very nice and they fit too. Good leather. Tag says that they were made in PA, in the Allegheny mountains. A very sturdy looking and feeling shoe. I would highly recommend WWII Impressions for your footwear needs. I will be saving up for the Roughouts.

 

[Big Man]

... and these items of clothing ended up being used on work sites, College campuses, etc. ...

My Dad, being a rather tall person (6' 6"), always had trouble finding clothing that fit well. When he returned from WW2, he took his uniform to the Man's Store in Asheville, NC (Chad, do you remember when the Man's Store was up near Pack Square beside the old theater?) and had Mr. Coleman Zagler make him a three piece suit out of it.

 

[Prairie Shade]

Garrison Shoes

BB - I had been looking for some Garrison Shoes that were made on the Munson Last, as Corcoran and the WWII shoes were. I gave up. I noticed a few years ago that LL Bean had what they called their Engineer shoes that they were offering. They are almost an exact copy of the Garrison shoes of the old brown shoe Army (MUNSON LAST). The exception is that they are made of a heavily waxed leather that doesnt take a shine. I took the dive and have had a pair for years now. Just wore them to work today, damn, I didnt know that people knew what Garrison Shoes were nowadays. Anyway, IF, you just want a pair of shoes with composition soles to wear everyday and take a beating, L L Bean had them. Maybe still does. I noticed that Sportsmens Guide is offering them at about 60-70 bucks, same shoes that I THINK are USA made by Chippewa (mine are). Anyway, just as info.

 

[Biltmore Bob]

I have a pair of the Chippawas from Sportsmans Guide, they are OK...the real problem is they are made in China. I shined mine up with plenty of Kiwi and they took a spit shine finally. I had been wearing them for outside work, but lately they stay under my bed...for some reason I can't bring myself to wear the product of slave labor. Maybe it's just me...

 

[Prairie Shade]

Same Old Story

I went in a checked mine out, L L Beans, Chippewa, Made in USA. BUT I dont remember how long I've had them. Guess everyone is selling out. I had heard that there was no more shoe production in the USA. Maybe Bean or Chippewa cant sell them either!!! Just an idea that was too late!!

 

[Biltmore Bob]

I emailed and called WWII Impressions...

before ordering these shoes and both times they assured me they were made by Corcoran. I understand that Corcoran may be owned by a company naved Cove, who makes boots for the US Military. That's good enough for me. Like I stated before, the shoes had a tag that stated they were made in PA. I don't care if they were made in a little shoe shop in PA. They sure are nicely built shoes, I don't mind spending a little more for quality.

 

[Flitcraft]

RE: Russet Service Shoes...

What's the verdict on the shoes?
How do you like them now that you've had them a few days?
They sure look good on the WWII Impressions site.

 

[Biltmore Bob]

Very nice shoes indeed, heavy well constructed, good leather, heavy. Highly recomended.

 

[Mycroft]

My Dad, being a rather tall person (6' 6"), always had trouble finding clothing that fit well. When he returned from WW2, he took his uniform to the Man's Store in Asheville, NC (Chad, do you remember when the Man's Store was up near Pack Square beside the old theater?) and had Mr. Coleman Zagler make him a three piece suit out of it.
__________________

That is awsome, do you hav pics? That is so creative and unique, good way to keep a memory.

 

[Big Man]

That is awsome, do you hav pics? That is so creative and unique, good way to keep a memory.

Unfortunatly, there are no pictures (that i know of) of that suit. And, it wasn't a way to "keep a memory", but rather a way to have a suit of cloths that fit. At the time, my Dad probabally wasn't really concerned with "remembering" his WW2 expierences. Sixty years or so later, maybe it's another story, but at the time it was all about getting on with life and "recovering" the three "lost" years of his life.

 

[grant]

Original cap toe service shoes

If you keep your eyes open on ebay or hit the flea markets at the right time, original WWII russet service shoes come up every now and then. It's worth picking up a pair of originals if you can because even the WWII Impressions shoes pale in comparison to the originals. Modern shore makers just can't match the tight stitching and attention to detail that was used in the 40's. I wear my WWII Impressions shoes for everyday use and save the originals for wear once and a while. Russet service shoes look awesome with a pair of buckle back Levi's or Lees and an A-2.

Grant

 

[Biltmore Bob]

Or Khakis and eitheir a denim or chambray shirt. Shined up I think they will even go good with a brown wool suit, or at least a jacket. When it cools off some I'm gonna try brown khakis or wool trousers, white shirt (buttoned to the neck), brown herringbone wool jacket. and brown herringbone newsie cap, with the captoes. While my jacket is not vintage or even vintage-esque, but I think I'll capture the image I want.

 

[grant]

BB,
Where's a good place to get those newsboy caps? I was admiring them in the movie Cinderella Man and was thinking of checking em out.

Grant