A question on heel plates

[Western Reserve Volunteer]

Here's a question: were heelplates a regulation item? Or just something soldiers commonly had installed on their bootees? Or was it something there's a great deal of variation in, depending on the contractor supplying them? I imagine any cobbler worth his salt could have added them back in the day.

The 103rd OVI can attest to the folly of my wearing heelplates on linoleum... I stayed upright, but my dinner salad exploded! I might keep the bootees with them in reserve for the moment, in case I have to do an event that is particularly muddy (Burton was like that this year).

In my opinion, some crafty sutler ought to go and make a pair of period rubber boots! There are certainly surviving examples from the time to copy. I'd buy a pair!

 

[captaindrew]

Here's a question: were heelplates a regulation item? Or just something soldiers commonly had installed on their bootees? Or was it something there's a great deal of variation in, depending on the contractor supplying them? I imagine any cobbler worth his salt could have added them back in the day.

The 103rd OVI can attest to the folly of my wearing heelplates on linoleum... I stayed upright, but my dinner salad exploded! I might keep the bootees with them in reserve for the moment, in case I have to do an event that is particularly muddy (Burton was like that this year).

In my opinion, some crafty sutler ought to go and make a pair of period rubber boots! There are certainly surviving examples from the time to copy. I'd buy a pair!

No, they weren't issued nor regulation and there was a lot of variation. Just added on to lengthen the life of the shoes more than anything.

 

[Rhea Cole]

No, they weren't issued nor regulation and there was a lot of variation. Just added on to lengthen the life of the shoes more than anything.

The period shoes can deteriorate very quickly. We had historically correct weather for the 150th programs at Stones River. The soles of my brogans fell to pieces from the alternating soaking & drying out. Oddest of all was my felt hat that I'd had for ten or fifteen years. The extended period of soaking & drying out caused it to shrink. I gave it to a granddaughter to wear.

Heel taps do make the heels last much longer. No question of that. That is due in part to all the time you spend walking on the balls of your feet to keep from doing a pratfall.

 

[Locke]

I've found some soling material that is not too obtrusive but grippy. It should blend in as long as I'm standing. It will help with both grip and durability. I may still add the heel plates just for the additional protection but I can blend it in with the soling. I'll skip the hobnails.
My local antique shop has a boot last for cheap and it's a complete cobbler's kit interchangable heads even comes with a cobbler hammer and nails.

 

[Mrs. V]

From what I understand it is period to add rubber soles to your shoes. It was often done to extend the life of your shoes.

My Fugawee fell apart at Zoar. Like cartoon flappin! Some fine fellows twined them up for me so that I could get to the main tent to sing! I don't know if it would be cheaper to have them fixed or just buy a new pair..I bought a new pair of half boots at zoar, but I am having trouble with them slipping on linoleum..and that kills my knees!

And then we will talk about ball room shoes…

 

[A. Roy]

I've found some soling material that is not too obtrusive but grippy. It should blend in as long as I'm standing. It will help with both grip and durability. I may still add the heel plates just for the additional protection but I can blend it in with the soling. I'll skip the hobnails.
My local antique shop has a boot last for cheap and it's a complete cobbler's kit interchangable heads even comes with a cobbler hammer and nails.

It would be cool to see photos of all this!

R

 

[Locke]

It would be cool to see photos of all this!

R

I'll be sure to post some photos. I'm still waiting on the boots so it'll be a while yet.
My plan is first to rubber the soles. Followed by cutting a relief so that the heel plates will sit just barely below flush. Intention being that they can wear in. Then I will replace the inside seam with a zipper so that I can actually don and doff the boots.
I look forward to the project. I'm going to try a few things I've not done before. This is fun and I haven't even gotten hands on the boots yet!

 

[PrivateBrooke]

I don't use plates or nails on mine, and I notice they're a lot less slippery than my first pair of brogans with heel plates, particularly on streets and man made surfaces. Since they were a private purchase modification, I'd imagine cavalry troopers would have been more likely to forego them. They did comparatively little walking and would likely be less worried about wearing out shoes, I would imagine. Also some things to consider is the fact that mud and soft dirt cakes up in a heel plate and requires picking out, much like a horseshoe.

 

[Rhea Cole]

I don't use plates or nails on mine, and I notice they're a lot less slippery than my first pair of brogans with heel plates, particularly on streets and man made surfaces. Since they were a private purchase modification, I'd imagine cavalry troopers would have been more likely to forego them. They did comparatively little walking and would likely be less worried about wearing out shoes, I would imagine. Also some things to consider is the fact that mud and soft dirt cakes up in a heel plate and requires picking out, much like a horseshoe.

keep in mind that on marches horses were led about 1/3 of the time.

 

[PrivateBrooke]

keep in mind that on marches horses were led about 1/3 of the time.

As I said comparatively little....compared to the infantry. lol

 

[Locke]

I got my cobbler last today. I'll be taking a wire wheel to it this weekend to get it cleaned up and painted. Zipper came in for what will be the right boot. Soling and glue is due Monday or Tuesday. I don't think I'll be nailing them in but they will be glued. Depending on how it goes I may nail or sew them.
I'm still planning on the heel plates.

 

[A. Roy]

After following this thread, I decided to take my brogans to a shoe-repair shop and have then re-soled with rubber walking soles, as suggested by @Rhea Cole. This sounded like a good option for an older guy who needs some stability when walking, and who would rather not sound like the rear end of a horse when walking on tile or macadam.

Here's how these shoes were outfitted when I bought them, with metal heel plates:

The cobbler re-soled them with an interesting material that is Vibram, but not the black color and waffle pattern I've usually seen. I doubt anybody would notice this material, without looking real closely:

I'm hoping this material will hold up over time. I'll be putting it to the test over the next couple of weeks, using these as work boots around the yard.

Roy B.

 

[Rhea Cole]

After following this thread, I decided to take my brogans to a shoe-repair shop and have then re-soled with rubber walking soles, as suggested by @Rhea Cole. This sounded like a good option for an older guy who needs some stability when walking, and who would rather not sound like the rear end of a horse when walking on tile or macadam.

Here's how these shoes were outfitted when I bought them, with metal heel plates:

View attachment 422795

View attachment 422796

The cobbler re-soled them with an interesting material that is Vibram, but not the black color and waffle pattern I've usually seen. I doubt anybody would notice this material, without looking real closely:

View attachment 422797

View attachment 422798

I'm hoping this material will hold up over time. I'll be putting it to the test over the next couple of weeks, using these as work boots around the yard.

Roy B.

Excellent job, congrats to your cobbler. It is remarkable how much better you will feel at the end of the day w/o your feet slipping & sliding as you walk.

 

[FedericoFCavada]

After following this thread, I decided to take my brogans to a shoe-repair shop and have then re-soled with rubber walking soles, as suggested by @Rhea Cole. This sounded like a good option for an older guy who needs some stability when walking, and who would rather not sound like the rear end of a horse when walking on tile or macadam.

Here's how these shoes were outfitted when I bought them, with metal heel plates:

View attachment 422795

View attachment 422796

The cobbler re-soled them with an interesting material that is Vibram, but not the black color and waffle pattern I've usually seen. I doubt anybody would notice this material, without looking real closely:

View attachment 422797

View attachment 422798

I'm hoping this material will hold up over time. I'll be putting it to the test over the next couple of weeks, using these as work boots around the yard.

Roy B.

Genius! I'm totally stealing this great idea!

I've got two pairs of brogans: one for Texas Rev, the other for CW skirmishing. I've also got a pair of simple leather slipper-shoes and a hideously uncomfortable set of 18th-century buckle shoes produced on straight lasts, so no true right or left.... I've worn hobnailed boots and heel plate and hobnail boots and taken some awful spills on hard surfaces, and gone "ice skating" a time or two, particularly on pavement and sidewalks and concrete material. They are also really loud, and woe betide anyone with a wood floor or some other modern floor surface. I used glue-on rubber taps on toes and heels, and contemplated adding skate board "grip tape" to some, but this here material your cobbler has looks mighty promising to me. One friend who has done Revolutionary War reenacting told me that more than a few buckle shoes have insoles inside 'em... "Just sayin'..."

 

[Locke]

After following this thread, I decided to take my brogans to a shoe-repair shop and have then re-soled with rubber walking soles, as suggested by @Rhea Cole. This sounded like a good option for an older guy who needs some stability when walking, and who would rather not sound like the rear end of a horse when walking on tile or macadam.

Here's how these shoes were outfitted when I bought them, with metal heel plates:

View attachment 422795

View attachment 422796

The cobbler re-soled them with an interesting material that is Vibram, but not the black color and waffle pattern I've usually seen. I doubt anybody would notice this material, without looking real closely:

View attachment 422797

View attachment 422798

I'm hoping this material will hold up over time. I'll be putting it to the test over the next couple of weeks, using these as work boots around the yard.

Roy B.

That looks amazing! The soling really blends in and doesn't look odd at all. I'm glad my curiosity has paid off for you.
Have you worn them around yet? How do they feel? What so you think of it?

 

[Locke]

My soling rubber just showed up. I'm still waiting on my boots. I'm hoping it won't be too much longer

 

[A. Roy]

That looks amazing! The soling really blends in and doesn't look odd at all. I'm glad my curiosity has paid off for you.
Have you worn them around yet? How do they feel? What so you think of it?

I haven't put them to the test yet. I'm planning to do some yard work tomorrow, so I'll try them out then. This material is pretty thin, so I'm not sure how much mileage I'll get out of it, but it seems worth a try.

R

 

[14NYSM]

Most U.S cavalry did not wear boots. If they did they were private purchase because they thought that was what a Cavalry man should wear. they soon found out that lace-up shoes were much better for day to day wear around camp end especially for any marching! Regarding heel plates, too many guys just nail on a pair of whatever kind of heel plate they can find. Period cobblers would never install hell plates without putting a piece of leather INSIDE the curve of the plate. This was standard. Without it, the plate will snag on things and rip off. Glue the leather piece in place and maybe tack it with some small nails.
If I know I wll be indoors (Living History display, lecture, school presentation, dance ball, etc.) with my replica shoes or boots, I glue a piece of leather OVER the heel and heel plates. temporary of course.

 

[14NYSM]

Oh, and if you want to save money, once in a while, glue a piece of leather to the the soles. I use old handbag leather (from thrift shops or where ever) the first time I had replica shoes resoled, the shoe repair guy simply glued on a piece of leather! later, a shoe repair place that also did cowboy boots refused to resole my brogans. "OK, I said. I'll do it myself!"

 

[Locke]

Happy New Year! It's been a while
New year, new boots.
Finally got my boots in and so I spent some time rubbering my soles. I tried to find the soling A. Roy used but it was out of stock so I found something a bit more aggressive. As this will be on the bottom of my boots I don't think it will show on the gravel and hardpack I will be on. This was the first time I've soled footwear before but here's my results.

The edges look rough but it's the lugs on the soling. They are slightly cut in but not much maybe about 1/16 of an inch at most. I don't think I will add the heel plate as I don't like the one I have. I glued these on with Barge cement as it remains flexible. And hammered them to set the glue. The soling added a great deal of comfort to the boots and since I know how to do this now, should I need to replace it I can.
Since I was working on my boots I also cut some wool insoles that made these really comfortable.
The boots are from South Union Mills and I'm impressed with the quality. I will be spending some time breaking them in over the next few weeks.