More french boots

Hi Guys.
I managed to buy these totally unissued boots "Brodequin à jambière attenante Mle 1952" as they were described by the seller, or Rangers as they are commonly known.These boots are stamped in many places, but are not too clear, but I can just about make out they were made in 1959, I got these direct from France fairly cheaply ( well cheaper than any over here in the UK) and still have the QM size 41 on the heel, and are covered in the original wax.Having carried out some research I found out from Wikipedia ,that these were widely distributed from 1956 on, in priority to airborne troops engaged in Algeria. In 1961, a simplified version was introduced, the boot and the leather cuff being made in one piece.

Cool!

Exactly the same make out as my pair, down to stamps and the brass screws in real good condition! Mine were mint as well and came with one set of black (round) laces and one set of (flat) brown ones.

And thanks for the explenation about boot type, this being the first two-piece one of 1956 and why/when there came the one-piece ones! Cheers and congrats!

saltefanden wrote:Cool!

Exactly the same make out as my pair, down to stamps and the brass screws in real good condition! Mine were mint as well and came with one set of black (round) laces and one set of (flat) brown ones.

And thanks for the explenation about boot type, this being the first two-piece one of 1956 and why/when there came the one-piece ones! Cheers and congrats!

No worries Ronny, you got TWO pairs of laces, I got ripped off, I only got this one pair of brown!!!

And your welcome for the info, it puzzled me why there was a two piece type and then a one piece type, so I looked into , there is a great deal of info out there for these type of Boots, 99% of it on French Militaria/Airsoft forums, which took ages to trawl through.

I'm looking forward to breaking these bad boy's in, plenty of walking and wax !!!!

I also apologise to everyone here, that this is not attached to the existing boots thread, I am not trying to "empire build" I just could'nt seem to post in this existing thread started by parafal, hence I had to go it alone with this post..so sorry for that

Nice find Gary I have to locate a pair of those in bloody big ie size 12 to have a complete set of the variations of rangers

loski wrote:Nice find Gary I have to locate a pair of those in bloody big ie size 12 to have a complete set of the variations of rangers

Thanks for looking and for your comments Graham.

I am VERY chuffed with this find, and will wear these with pride as I am a 41, whereas your humongous size 12's are going to be a challenge to track down..still you know what they say about blokes with big feet........err,BIG socks

Easy Gee wrote:

loski wrote:Nice find Gary I have to locate a pair of those in bloody big ie size 12 to have a complete set of the variations of rangers

Thanks for looking and for your comments Graham.

I am VERY chuffed with this find, and will wear these with pride as I am a 41, whereas your humongous size 12's are going to be a challenge to track down..still you know what they say about blokes with big feet........err,BIG socks

Big socks and very stable in high winds allso found in Her Majestys Constabulary amoung other things LOL

"Big socks and very stable in high winds allso found in Her Majestys Constabulary amoung other things" LOL[/quote]


Absolutely Officer, I wouldn't want to argue with you on that one

Even though these are commercial, they are pretty good quality French "STYLE" boots( apart from the plastic tongue)I suppose they are sort of relevant here in the sense of what's available out there for us French collectors

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NOS-Vintage-FRENCH-FOREIGN-LEGION-Vietnam-Nam-Combat-Jump-Leather-Mens-Boots-8-/230679387329?pt=US_Men_s_Shoes&hash=item35b5901cc1

Dont you just love some Ebay sellers!!

Gulf91 wrote:http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NOS-Vintage-FRENCH-FOREIGN-LEGION-Vietnam-Nam-Combat-Jump-Leather-Mens-Boots-8-/230679387329?pt=US_Men_s_Shoes&hash=item35b5901cc1

Dont you just love some Ebay sellers!!

OMG  

Greedy or out of touch with reality , I would expect that price if they were worn by Bigeard himself and came with a letter of authenticity plus his medals...but even then ............

Out rageous

loski wrote:Out rageous

Absoflippinlutely Mate;) 

Why, greedy buggers; see I'd happily part with my size 12 ones for a mere $500

Jesus!

Gary, I had missed your post with the 'Wissant' or 'Wissart' boots - are those a non-Palladium made versions of the classic French boot, please.
And like Graham, I wouldn't mind finding a pair of size 12 0r 13 of either!

saltefanden wrote:Why, greedy buggers; see I'd happily part with my size 12 ones for a mere $500

Jesus!

Gary, I had missed your post with the 'Wissant' or 'Wissart' boots - are those a non-Palladium made versions of the classic French boot, please.
And like Graham, I wouldn't mind finding a pair of size 12 0r 13 of either!

Hi Mate, no worries these things often get overlooked, and yes they are exactly the same as Palladium but made made by Wissart. I believe from research these were worn as much as the more commonly known brand of Palladium. They look great teamed up with my other 50's issue French uniforms.

Thanks for looking;) 

Just got a pair of what looks to be 1980 dated Black Ranger boots but think they may be too small,I usually wear a UK 8 but these are marked as a 40?

If they are lined they are from the 70's or 80's and the unlinedlate 80's 90's this is not exact
Graham

Will check.

There are also stamped markings on the inside soles but cannot make them out.

Believe also that there is/was a Police version of these boots that were similar with slight differences?

Hi Gulf
There is/was a Gendarmerie / Police issue Rangers
The differancees are that they are made from smooth leather and are lighter and unless they have been resoled there should be a red insert in the bottom of the sole I used to have a pair and are the best of the rangers.
Graham

Ahh,thanks Graham. Mine in that case are definitely Military as the double buckle part is of pebbled leather and the rest,maybe because of age or a lot of dubbin or something almost feel like "roughout" leather,like the tan ones?

Hi Gulf
The military Rangers are made entirely from pebbled leather and the toes go smooth from polishing
any chance of a photo
Take a look here for photos of military Rangers
https://iacmc.forumotion.com/t6635-boots

Cheers for the link.

Will post a few pics when I get a chance.

Hi Gulf
Your rangers are the latest unlined military rangers early 80's to current issue
looks like they have seen some heavy service cos as you said all the pebbling is gone I would give them a good going over with a large amount of Kiwi to get a shine on them. Btw I hope they fit you.
Graham

Thanks Graham.

They feel damp to the touch so not sure if damp or as I thought earlier been heavily dubbined?

Sure they are a 7 and I can just about squeeze into them but not really for wearing for the collection and they were very cheap so a bonus!!