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PATTERN 1876 US ARMY MOUNTED
TROOPER’S BOOTS
– MATCHED PAIR - SHOWING
OBVIOUS FRONTIER USE WITH AN ORIGINAL MODEL 1872 SPUR
AND SPUR STRAP STILL ATTACHED:
This pair of US Army
Pattern 1876 Boots, worn by the mounted enlisted men
during the height of the Indian War period, speaks
volumes of the long, hard miles traveled across the
American West by the frontier troopers.
When placed side by each as the boots would have been
worn, it is obvious the soldier who wore them had an
unusual gait – perhaps due to injuries or wounds
sustained in the course of his service. Both heels are
worn down significantly on the left side, so the soldier
must have walked with his body having a distinct cant to
the left. The left boot also has a definite set that
would indicate the soldier was quite pigeon toed, at
least on that one side.
The left boot features an original Model 1872 Spur
attached with an original full length Model 1859 Spur
Strap – a very nice added value for this pair of boots.
The outside lower edge of the spur’s heel band shows the
same profile of wear as the edge of the boot’s leather
heel, which argues for this spur being original to the
boot and worn by the same soldier. Why just the one
spur survived is a mystery lost to time, but the
surviving spur and strap is a very nice feature.
After only four years in service, the design of the
Pattern 1872 Boot was reviewed by the 1876 Uniform Board
and minor changes to the pattern were ordered. In
response to requests from the soldiers who wore them,
the boot front was increased from 15” to 15 ½” high, and
the circumference of the leg of the boot was increased
to more readily accommodate the trouser leg inside the
boot top. Compared side by each, the leg of the Pattern
1876 Boot is noticeably larger than that of the Pattern
1872 Boot. Although the tops of these boots have
relaxed due to being worn, and the leather has formed
the characteristic “wrinkles” around the ankle, when the
leather is expanded to its full height, the boot fronts
measure the proper 15 ½” high.
The boots are manufactured of the proper “waxed calf”
leather - that is the rough side of the leather is outer
surface of the boot rather than the smooth finished
side. The rough nap was finished with a wax coating
which prevented the boots from hardening and
subsequently cracking due to repeated wetting and drying
cycles as they were exposed to wear in the field.
The leather is very strong
with no weak points, remains live and supple, and
retains much of the original waxed finish. The boots
are made with a one piece front and one piece back, sewn
along the sides with a reinforcing welt to protect the
stitches. The front arch of both boot tops was
notched by the soldier, probably as an expression of
individuality and to mark these boots so as to readily
identify them as his own.
Both boots show evidence of having been repaired a
number of times during the course of their period wear,
including soles and heels, as well as some work to the
foot portion of the uppers. The right boot has an old
repair in the area of the big toe, and the left boot has
an old patch applied to the outside of the foot in the
area of the ball of the little toe – likely where the
soldier’s boot rubbed against the inside wall of the
stirrup frame. There
is a small split in the leather on the rear of the left
boot, approximately four inches above the left side of
the heel, and a small (1/16”) hole at the ball of the
right foot. Neither of these points are particularly
noticeable, but are mentioned here to provide a complete
description. Other than these points, the uppers are
free from any holes, cracks, splits, open seams or other
damage and wear. Both boots are complete with all
components to include both sets of boot pulls.
Soldiers’ footwear is generally not something that
survived his period of service, or his post-military
life, in great numbers – in most cases, it was simply
too utilitarian to be saved. Comparatively little US
Army 19th Century footwear survives today and
even fewer examples of mounted soldier’s boots in any
condition are available for purchase by the private
collector.
While exhibiting obvious use, this
pair of Pattern 1876 Boots is very solid and it presents telling testimony to
the verse from the old soldier’s tune, “...for that's
the way we go, forty miles a day on beans and hay in the
Regular Army, Oh.” Having traveled many miles across
the American West on any of the famous campaigns during
the height of the Indian Wars, that this pair of boots
survives today is nothing short of
remarkable. Capturing all
of the character of the frontier soldier who wore them,
this pair of boots will be a historic addition to your
Indian War Cavalry display. (0957)
$1650
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