Brogan heel plates

[wt_jimbos]

I have begun re-enacting, now that I finally got an English made Parker Hale enfield 3 band, as well as leathers and original bayonet and scabbard (care of Jim Westberg, who was very patient and helpful, and I would recommend him highly, it was unfortunate that I gave him the run around and wasn't able to buy his rifle as the international shipping turned out more than I could afford). I have got my sack coat and forage cap coming, I am now shopping for brogans (preferably with heel plates so they will last), one company send the brogans out with heel plates on, another send then with plates not attach with brass screws to attatch them, my question is are brass screws authentic, I thought they were nail in. Does anyone know what should be used? screw or nail? brass or iron?
hope you can help me.
James

[johan_steele]

Jim is a great guy... I love to stop in his shop & see what he's got. Over the last couple years I've seen an original Spencer carbine, several Parker Hales and many other pieces of interest to me...

As to Brogans nails were most common. The heel plate is up to you, they were a catch as catch can item not an issue piece. THey were apparently quite favored as they provided some traction on wet groud but they were no help in winter conditions. My own experiance is that they are quite useful... though on concrete even w/ the heel plates I feel like a hog on ice.

These are two vendors I've had good luck w/ in the past. The second provided my brogans and I am quite happy w/ them. They are sewn (which was done in some of the mass produced variety) instead of pegged so most modern shoe repair places can easily repair them which is a plus.

www.missouribootandshoe.com
www.umvmco.com

Good Luck

[wt_jimbos]

Thanks again Shane, it's very handy to have someone with your knowledge on hand.
James

[hardtack61]

First,you need to do is sit down on the net and look at origninal brogans and look at the heelplates attached. I dont know anything about period screws but i wanna think that they were not common to the ordinary campaigning soldier. I agree with Shane in recomending Missouri boot & shoe. He is one of the most authentic shoe/boot maker around, and nuthing on the shoe like the way of attaching the plates will be incorrect. Also Mr. Mattimore of civilwarboots.com has the same top quality as mb&s. I prefer Mr. Mattimore myself! But as a new reenactor that you are i recomend reading here and maybe going to www.authentic-campaigner.com. I as a Civil War Living Historian/ authentic campaigner, i take pride in ready and adding to the discussion there.I am glad to help if possible.