Original Item. Only One Available. This is a beautiful set of M1943 Double Buckle Service boots in great near unissued condition, with clear markings and a great overall look.

Both boots are in fantastic shape with a beautiful russet coloration. They both retain their full shoelaces, and the soles of both shoes are in immaculate condition with all stamps and marks still clearly visible. Both shoes retain their buckles which are all in great functioning condition. Neither have been dubbed, so they retain their raw factory finish. They are both marked under the flap:

8 1/2C HU
H 8 ½ C 5866
MID STATES SHOE CO.
CONTRACT W19-074 QM 1740
APRIL 12 - 1944 BOSTON DEPOT

The buckle straps are very worn as shown with some leather cracking & crazing, but otherwise the set is near perfect. This is a phenomenal pair of M1943 boots, ready for further research and display.

The composition sole combat service boot, or "double buckle boot" as it is commonly known, originated as part of a project to create a universal combat uniform. Revised footwear was included in this project that was hoped to provide improved performance in the field while at the same time reducing the number of items the Quartermaster had to supply. In fact, a major impetus to bring the combat boot to fruition was the result of the poor performance of existing footwear during the early stages of the North African campaign. Though early combat boot experimentation looked at new designs and special purposes, the end result was a universal issue boot that was formed by combining the latest service shoe development with a simple and economical double buckle cuff. Approved by the Army Service Forces in 1943, the boot was being mass produced during the latter stages of the war, and by late 1944/early 1945 was being issued in quantity to troops overseas. These boots were also seen being issued during the Korean War alongside the M48 service boots.