{"product_id":"original-british-wwii-pair-of-army-issue-ammo-boots-with-hobnailed-soles-dated-1942-size-8","title":"Original British WWII Pair of Army Issue “Ammo” Boots with Hobnailed Soles - Dated 1942 - Size 8","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOriginal Items: Only One Set Available. This is an excellent original pair of British Army issue ammunition boots, commonly known as “Ammo” boots, dating from World War II. The boots are marked as Size 8 and retain their original leather shoelaces, hobnailed soles, and metal toe plates.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAmmunition boots were the standard ankle boots worn by the British Army and other military forces throughout the British Empire and Commonwealth. The general pattern originated during the 19th century and remained in service, with numerous modifications, until the introduction of boots with directly molded soles during the 1960s. The basic ammunition boot was constructed from heavy leather and designed for extended military use. The Imperial War Museums catalogues this pattern as “Boots, ankle length (‘ammunition boots’), O\/Rs,” referring to footwear issued to other ranks.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe soles of both boots are stamped:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e8\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eS\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e10\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e8\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e appears to indicate the boot size, while the \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eS\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e most likely denotes a narrow or small width fitting. We have not confirmed the meaning of the \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e10\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e marking.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe side of the throat on each boot is stamped:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eW (BROAD ARROW) D\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e242\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eW (BROAD ARROW) D\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e marking identifies the boots as British War Department property. The \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e242\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e marking appears to represent a February 1942 manufacture or inspection date.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBoth boots retain their original hobnails and metal toe plates. Each toe plate is secured with four screws, although the plates were manufactured with five screw holes. The leather laces also remain present, making this a particularly complete pair.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAn excellent original set of 1942 dated British Army ammunition boots, displaying the classic hobnailed construction and War Department markings associated with British soldiers during World War II.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44927334711365,"sku":"ONJR26MAA017","price":195.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/480F823F-6A74-40BE-87B3-1098DFD1D9D8.jpg?v=1777485253","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-british-wwii-pair-of-army-issue-ammo-boots-with-hobnailed-soles-dated-1942-size-8","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}