Rough Outs or Russet Service Shoes...

[Biltmore Bob]

www.millerhats.com has a couple of inexpensive, made in USA models. I get one or two from them from time to time, they don't last long though. I have about 5 I got from Brett at B! Wear Cap Co. that I love. Talk to Brett, he'll make one for you the way you want. I prefer mine with the seam down the middle and no snap or wire on the bill. He has a wide variety of fabric to choose from. I sent him some fabric back in the early part of the summer, and he custom made a couple caps for me. Great workmanship and attention to detail.

http://mariposa.yosemite.net/bwear Tell him Bob in Texas sent you.

 

[Zemke Fan]

Like these, too

Have been working on complete WWII winter, summer, and field uniforms with a variety of insignia for either 8th AAF (winter), and 12th AAF (summer and field). Since we're headed into the colder clime here in Maryland, I am trying to put my hands on a decent pair of russet color low quarters. I wear nothing but Allen Edmonds dress shoes (still made by hand in Wisc.) and I have been thinking about getting a pair of their Byron or Park Avenue shoes. The ONLY problem with these shoes is the price (approx. $300), BUT you will literally have them for life AND AE recrafts them for about $100. You non-military guys may also want to check out some of the retro AE styles including a VERY cool black and white model. Here's the Web site:

http://www.allenedmonds.com

 

[Biltmore Bob]

Where in MD?

I lived there for alot of years before moving to TX. Waldord, Leonardtown, ended up on the Eastern Shore in Salisbury. I miss Ocean City and Steamed Crabs.

 

[Zemke Fan]

North of the city

Germantown. It would be a BEAR of a commute if not for the MARC commuter train.

 

[Biltmore Bob]

You work in Ballmer, Hon?

I know the area well, I went to the MD State Police Dog Training Academy in Westover, near Pikesville, in '89. I was a Salisbury MD City Police Officer, K9 Trainer. I hope I never pulled y'all over on your way to OC.

Get that profile filled out ZF.

 

[Prairie Shade]

Russet Low Quarters

Wondering if they are cut down jump boots? How about a picture from above? Corcoran makes some very good jump boots and I am familiar with them. I didnt know they made garrison shoes as these appear to be. Anyone know a source for Russet Low Quarters? The Naval Aviator shoes are close but I would like leather soles. I would also like a pair of garrison shoes and these might be close. As an afterthought on Rough Outs, several of my late friends who served in the Army during the last days of WWII in Europe told me that the Brass required them to be polished to a high shine as soon as you were in garrison. I always thought that was interesting. They must have owned stock in Shinola. Doesnt that sound like fun? A spit shine party with rough-out leather. I always remember that the Army's 3rd ingredient for Strawberry/Shortcake was sand. Nothing is given without a disadvantage.

 

[Biltmore Bob]

I was told by an old Marine that lived through Pearl Harbor that they would shave the rough off the boots before shining them.

As for cut down jump boots ...the service shoes don't have the reinforcement on the sides or the beveled heel or the rounded sole edge. I think they are two different birds.

I love the shoes that I have and have been wearing them as work boots. They have a few scuffs on the toes now but that just makes them look like they been around. I would recomend the shoes to anyone who wants a shoe from the 30's to 40's. They look great. I had been thinking of getting a pair of the rough outs but have changed my mind. I think I'll get another pair of the Russet Service Shoes, polished up I think they will make a great less than formal dress shoe.

 

[MK]

Have you guys checked out these?

http://www.indygear.com/gear/boots.shtml

The boot used in the Indiana Jones movies is made by Alden. They haven't changed the basic design since the golden era. It is the best thing I have ever had on my feet.....and I wear Allen Edmonds to work everyday.

 

[Prairie Shade]

Those look like excellent boots!!! I think BB and I like the traditional Garrison type shoe which did not have a mocassin toe. Without that type of toe and with a toe cap, they could be right on. Does any one know about a source for Russet Low Quarters???????????????

 

[Zemke Fan]

I will continue to do a lot of looking, for the *russet low quarters* in the coming weeks. Will post some alternatives when I find them. HEY, MK, thanks for the lead on the Indy boots by Alden. These DO look interesting!

 

[Zemke Fan]

Now here's an idea for russet low quarters...

All -- I have been digging into some of the other threads here at FL and found an interesting company that makes swing dance shoes: http://www.arisallen.com/ Why couldn't SEVERAL of us give these folks the idea that they ought to: (1) start with the "raw heel" captoe, (2) lose the captoe and make it just a plain toe, and (3) make the color "russet brown." We'd all end up in shoes that we could swing dance in AND wear with our Class A's. What say ya'll? Shall we pester 'em? (Even if they LEFT the captoe it would still be a VERY close approximation if they just changed the color!) These shoes are going for $70 on dancestore.com http://www.dancestore.com/1aacaptoe2.html

ALL: Changed my mind on these! (See posts below.)

 

[Prairie Shade]

What the heck. I pester everyone here, why not pester these folks for a russet brown shoe!!!! I cant believe there is such a limited selection of brown shoes. I have been told that it demands a higher quality leather because the imperfections are more visible without dark staining. Maybe a point. Anyway, how do you think we should start? Anyone else?

 

[Zemke Fan]

Pays to snoop around...

Turns out the guys at dancestore.com DO have some old stock in BIG sizes. I just bought a 14 on sale for $44.95. (I will probably regret it, but heck they say they run a little small.) << Cancelled my order.

 

[Prairie Shade]

KRIKEY(any Akubra Fans?) Do they have normal (?) sizes?

 

[BellyTank]

Russet shoes- a source!

Again, WPG sells the russet low 1/4 shoes-

http://www.whatpriceglory.com/usboot.htm

"Russet Low Quarter Dress Shoes. This is a very high quality low shoe for wear with the dress uniforms, custom made for WPG by skilled shoemakers in Mexico. Sizes 8-13 wide, whole sizes only. $85"

B
T

 

[Prairie Shade]

What you mean again? Did I miss something? This looks interesting both for Russet Low Quarters and Garrison shoes. You only have to tell me one time (usually). I guess they are better than the average Mexican Leather?

 

[Biltmore Bob]

PS,

If you want to get the Cap Toe Garrison shoe, I'd pay $10 more and get the WWII Impression Model. Just my $.02, but mine were made in PA and they are turning out to be a really stout and servicable a pair of shoes. And nice looking too.

 

[Zemke Fan]

WPG low quarters... out of stock

Been watching the WPG site for a while. The russet low quarters are out of stock. However, I will contact them tomorrow and see if they have ANY for sale in any size. While I would prefer to have the historically accurate shoes, at this point I want something that: (1) looks *close enough* and (2) is easy to dance in (i.e. no rubber soles). The WWII Impressions site has the low boot for sale and I am probably going to purchase a pair of roughouts for use with my field uniform. With upcoming dances I am trying to finish the Class A uniform first.

 

[Prairie Shade]

ZEMKE-- Sounds like a plan. Don't forget your leggings!!! Looks like the search for Russet Low-Quarters continues. Actually, I cant believe I found a source for Garrison Shoes. Think BB may be right on the WWII Impressions tho.

 

[Zemke Fan]

Broke down and bought a pair of Allen Edmonds

Gents:

I got tired of waiting for a good source of russet low quarters. Yesterday, I broke down and bought a pair of Allen Edmonds (my fav brand) "Park Avenue" in the Brown Antibes color.

I know that these are not real/true russet low quarters, but they are close enough for my purposes: (1) correct 6 eyelet blucher; (2) leather sole; (3) side-stitching approximates the low-quarters; (4) color is not TOO bad. The problems: (1) low quarters were plain toe and this is a cap toe; and (2) color is true brown and not the orange/red brown in the low quarters.

Anyway, when I was out at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center (Smithsonian's Air and Space Center at Dulles Airport) recently, I took a long look at Gen. Jimmy Doolittle's WWII 8th AAF uniform and the shoes were DEFINITELY not the run of the mill low quarters. (But, then neither was the uniform.) The color WAS pretty close to these AE Park Avenues.

BTW: Saved $100 on these by calling the AE outlet store in Wisconsin. They sell factory seconds over the phone and the minor blemishes that make these seconds are usually about what happens to my shoes after the first few wearings.

Beware the Thunderbolt!