Boots / shoes to wear with your flight jacket s...

[Dany McDonald]

From what I've read they were developed by George S Patton and H.E. Ketzler of the Dehner Boot Company in 1937 and were in use through 1944.

This might be interesting. Found an auction for Dehner Tank Boots. ElC really did a great job reproducing these.

Zero link with the seller...

WW2 US Army Denhers Tank Boot Maker Marked (Size 11) Lt. Col John C Cavins | eBay

WW2 US Army Denhers Tank Boot Maker Marked (Size 11) in overall great condition for their age. Leather is still flexible and does not show signs of flaking or cracking. Cavin went over to the ETO in October 1944 with the 48th Tank Battalion of the 14th Armored Division.

www.ebay.com

D

 

[B-Man2]

Wow ! They ain’t cheap are they ?

 

[mulceber]

Wow ! They ain’t cheap are they ?

Same price as the repro.

 

[Chandler]

Same price as the repro.

But already broken in.

 

[Chandler]

Anyone know what the original soles were on these boots?

 

[mulceber]

But already broken in.

Maybe a little TOO broken in.

 

[Dany McDonald]

Anyone know what the original soles were on these boots?

From the images, I'd risk saying, leather sole and rubber heel.

Wow ! They ain’t cheap are they ?

Yeah, I too am surprise about the asking price, but militaria is cooler than ever with the vintage crowd. I also think that retro/vintage sellers are influenced by others...

D

 

[Dany McDonald]

Eastman is too rich for my blood but man those boots are super nice.

 

[B-Man2]

Looks like they could use a little Pecards and some TLC

 

[Chandler]

From the images, I'd risk saying, leather sole and rubber heel.

But do you think that was original?

Even the service shoes had a similar rubber sole to the jump boots.

Looks like the Eastmans have a similar sole to jump boots -- but I don't know how accurate that is.

 

[Dany McDonald]

Good question... It looks native to the boot, but if resoled, it was done way back. And they were not meant to walk/run hence the different material. Remember they were designed for sitting in an armored vehicle.

D

 

[Chandler]

Remember they were designed for sitting in an armored vehicle.

Well, designed for working and moving around inside an armored vehicle, so I'd think straight leather soles could be a little slippery.

Seems @Grant is familiar with this boot, maybe he has some input?

 

[Dany McDonald]

Agreed Chandler, leather sole have pros and cons that doesn't bode well in a mucky environment, like around tanks in combat. From what I understand, the intended initial design, was to optimized the crewman comfortability, hence the leather sole... maybe...

When I say not meant to walk/run, I mean over long distances like a GI. Guess they would be ok for a general usage around and inside an armored vehicle.

D

 

[mulceber]

Seems @Grant is familiar with this boot, maybe he has some input?

Agreed, I'd love to hear Grant's thoughts about what it's like walking/moving around in the Eastman versions.

 

[Grant]

Wow! Cool, photo of a pair of original Dehner's that most likely date to the 1930's. Thanks for posting!
Impossible to tell if the heels and soles are original, but Eastman tankers have rubber over leather soles and original Cats Paw rubber heels. Also, the Dehner tanker boots appear to be made from horsehide - which Gary also uses. The Eastman's are fully lined in leather (I doubt the originals were) so are super comfortable to wear walking around the mean streets of New York. That's my two cents!

I can only hope mine age as beautifully as those Dehners!

 

[Dany McDonald]

Guys, found these beauties, looks like leather and rubber...

 

[jack31916]

Agreed Chandler, leather sole have pros and cons that doesn't bode well in a mucky environment, like around tanks in combat. From what I understand, the intended initial design, was to optimized the crewman comfortability, hence the leather sole... maybe...

When I say not meant to walk/run, I mean over long distances like a GI. Guess they would be ok for a general usage around and inside an armored vehic

Guys, found these beauties, looks like leather and rubber...

View attachment 103603

View attachment 103605

Leather soles and rubber heels were normal use on the early (army) boots. According to internet the Dehner Tank boots were designed in 1937 so pre-war and according to the standards. They never made it to the Quartermaster though and probably were available as private issue. The Dehner Company seems to be still in business and are still selling the Tanker boot: https://dehner.com/product/dehner-tank-boot-strap/

 

[mulceber]

That might be a more budget-friendly alternative to the Eastman/Lofgren collaboration.

 

[Chandler]

That might be a more budget-friendly alternative to the Eastman/Lofgren collaboration.

Except it doesn't look as cool (to me, anyway).

 

[mulceber]

I'd prefer the Eastman ones as well.