WWII Mountain/Ski Boots ("Rubber-cleated" FREEMAN SHOE 8D) Mint NOS Unissued!

Description: WWII Mountain/Ski Boots ("Rubber-cleated" soles made by FREEMAN SHOE CORP. 8D, complete with 2 pair of Wool Felt INSOLES, the original WAXED LACES, and a photocopy of the INSTRUCTIONS. Mint NOS Unissued!! This is a stunning museum-grade pair...in a wearable size!! This pair cannot be 'upgraded'!! Great "Medium" size that can be worn by a trooper with a foot size 8, 9, 10, 11, or even LARGER!! I have a size 13 foot and with one set of the Insoles removed, and wearing a wool sock, I can fit my size 13 foot in one -- although my middle toe is up against the box toe! Particulars of condition: + Absolutely untouched "museum-grade" condition! This pair survived for decades, unissued since the Second World War on a shelf of an Army depot. I was issued an identical pair of these "Specification BQD 31C" (Type 4) rubber-cleated boots in the mid-1960s during my training in an U.S. Army Mountain Cold Weather Program in Vermont. + These heavy boots were a compromise between a 'ski boot' with and a heavy 'mountaineer's climbing boot.' It has the Recessed Groove on the rear of the heel to hold the cable of the dangerous 'bear trap' ski binding that was used on the Army-issued skis. When a trooper 'fell' in that ski binding, he had better fall forward... because the binding afforded ZERO lateral movement!!! + These Boots, introduced mid-war have the original Vibram soles, named after the Italian alpinist Vitale Bramani who invented the lugged' vulcanized rubber sole (See below: 'VI' for Vitale plus 'BRAM' for Bramani = 'VIBRAM') around 1937. + Note: These oversized Mountain/Ski boots were designed to accommodate several pair of thick woolen socks as well as a hemp "over-sock" in addition to the thick felt inner sole. Depending on how many pairs of socks are worn this pair marked "8D" will fit a foot two to three sizes larger!!! + ZERO scuffs, cuts, scrapes, cuts, tears, cracks, crazing, or dry rot to the Cowhide uppers! They are have never been dubbed, waterproofed, or polished! + ZERO damage to the russet colored padded ankle Cuffs. + ZERO wear of verdigris to the pairs of brass Edge Protectors on the soles. Each of which is secured by two steel Phillips-head screws and brass brads. + ZERO tears to the 'pull-on' Loops at the rear heel seam. + ZERO wear to the khaki-painted finish on the pairs of Eyelets and Hooks. + ZERO scuffs, or wear to the vulcanized Bramani "VIBRAM" cleated soles, each of which is marked in raised lettering along with the trademark 'wingfoot' logos, introduced in 1901: GOOD YEAR 36 + Each 3/4" Rubber Cleated Sole is secured by 21 tiny brass Screws+ Each Rubber Cleated Heel is secured by 7 tiny brass Screws and 11 steel Nails. + The instep of each Boot is reinforced on the inside with a 2" wide white Webbing. + All of the seamsof the uppers are Triple Stitched. + Stamped (impressed) on the outside of the ankle with the size "8D" and the contractor code "FX" for the Freeman Shoe Corporation of Beloit, Wisconsin.+ All of the tiny brass 'Phillips head screws securing the sole are in perfect condtion. + Inside of each boot, on the rough-out surface, is printed in black ink the manufacturer's name, depot, size, and the year of manufacture. As best as I can make out the printing is: FREEMAN SHOE COMPANY CONTRACT W 74 QMC 8 D 42445 BOSTON / QMD AUG. 18 / 1943 SPEC. NO. / 31B + The white cotton Waxed Flat Laces are in MINT condition. + ZERO moth damage or storage wear to the two (2) pair of thick removable Wool Felt Insoles, as issued, are present. Each of the four insoles is stamped with the letter 'M'. + Included is a photocopy of an original folded set of INSTRUCTIONS (3" x 4-1/2") about the care of the boots that was threaded over one of the Laces. It reads BOOTS, SKI-MOUNTAIN WITH RUBBER-CLEATED SOLES YOUR FEET can be comfortable in Arctic cold.. +++ WHEN WORN Wet of dry rodk, snow, rough ice and on skiis. On smooth ice use crampons. +++ HOW WORN Wear with ONE pair of socks, cushion-sole, plus TWO pair of socks,. wool, ski, plus ONE pair of insoles, felt. CARE OF BOOTS (Drying precautions... Treating with special cold climate Dubbing, once per week. Less often in extreme cold.) +++ USE AND CARE OF INSOLES (addressing the matters of insulation and perspiration) KEEP INSOLES DRY (alternate pairs) KEEP SOCKS AND INSOLES DRY ***** NOTES: (1) The Ames Ice Axe and the Rope are NOT included in this sale! (2) These are HEAVY ! S/H is an estimate. Any overage in postage will be refunded! ***** Exceptional research by W. Michael Myers who is arguably the undisputed authority on Mountain/Ski clothing equipment of WWII ("The Rucksack") on this particular iteration of the Army's Ski and Mountain Boot. Evolution of the U.S. Army Ski and Mountain Boot During World War II: Over the course of two years the U.S. Army ski and mountain boot evolved from a cloned civilian ski boot unsuitable for military use to a multipurpose boot that could be used for skiing, climbing, and hiking. The Army created four basic patterns during the war and two of them had two variations. The identification system shown below (Type 1, Type II, etc.) is my own system for conveniently differentiating the patterns. The Army didn't identify the different patterns by type. They just changed the name to reflect the changing role. The names shown below in italics are the official Quartermaster names for that pattern boot. Each boot came from the factory marked with the maker's name, the purchasing depot's name, the boot size, the contract date, and the contract number stamped inside the boot on the fleshy side of the leather. Occasionally, the depot inspector's stamp can be found inside the boot, as well as the specification number. Type 4 and 4A Boot, Ski-Mountain with Rubber Cleated Sole BQD 31B boots were an improvement, but the need for two versions was impractical. Work began in November 1942 on adapting rubber Bramani soles to the BQD 31B boot and in June 1943 contracts for rubber-soled mountain and ski boots were issued to three companies. Attaching the one-piece, molded rubber sole to the ski boot created a technological challenge that took until mid-summer of 1943 to overcome, but the sole proved to be one of the Quartermaster Corps' major innovations during World War II. The rubber sole gave better over-all traction, was quieter on rocks, and worked well for both marching and skiing. In late September 1943 the specification for rubber-soled ski/mountain boots was published as Tentative Spec. BQD 31C. This was the final version ski / mountain boot produced during World War II.Specification BQD 31C called for the maker to emboss the boot's size and a two-letter code near the top of the boot on the outside. The code identified the boot's maker. For example, boots marked "FX" were made by the Freeman Shoe Corporation. *****Freeman Shoe Co – Founded in Beloit Wisconsin in 1921. Purchased by H. O. Toor Company in 1963. Merged with United States Shoe. Bankrupt in early 1990s. Name purchased by Weyco 1992 Freeman Shoes had big factories in a couple locations in Beloit Wisconsin and began manufacturing shoes there in 1921, I believe they closed their final local factory in or about 1990 in the Beloit area. My dad wore Freeman Shoes exclusively, and I owned more than my fair share of Freeman Shoes during my lifetime as well. Many people had spent their entire lives working at Freeman, and it was really sad to see them go. Seems we had a lot of major companies in this area decide to all close down at the same time with Freeman Shoes, Beloit Corporation, Fairbanks Morse, putting thousands of people out of work. The quality of their shoes were second to none, and my personal favorites were their wingtip shoes. *****What is a Vibram sole? (the Bramani sole) by Kenneth Cortez, January 19. 2022 When it comes to footwear, we tend to put a lot of stock into big names like Veia, Adidas, New Balance, and Merrell. But what about the major players who make the components that go into these shoes? One Italian-born company stands as king in terms of popularity and reliability for shoe outsoles: Vibram. What’s the deal with these soles? And why are Vibram soles so popular?What is Vibram? Vibram shoe soles get their name from their inventor, entrepreneur Vitale Bramani, who developed them in 1937, as the world’s first rubber lug soles. Most Vibram soles are used on footwear for outdoor and workwear activities, such as hiking, mountaineering, and construction. Vibram’s story begins with a tragedy. As an avid climber and a member of the Italian Alpine Club, Vitale Bramani led an expedition into the Italian Alps in 1935. During the trek, Bramani’s crew encountered a severe snowstorm and heavy fog, which resulted in six of Bramani’s climbers dying from frostbite and exposure. Back then, climbers relied on heavy leather hobnailed boots as they ascended a mountain, changing into felt-bottomed climbing shoes as the terrain got steeper. These vintage outsoles were not insulated, leaving the feet of climbers exposed to moisture and cold. They also were prone to freezing, causing boots to become slippery on descent. Bramani was convinced that if his fellow crewmembers had been wearing properly equipped footwear, they would have survived the expedition. Bramani, who had no previous footwear or engineering experience, set out to invent an outsole that could help lessen the risk of frostbite in harsh winter conditions. He designed a shoe sole using the water- and winter-proof material known as vulcanized rubber—a material patented in 1844 by Charles Goodyear of Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company fame. This prototype outsole also had a tread pattern that made them better for traction and abrasion resistance. With additional funding from the Pirelli Tire Company, Bramani started his own brand-name of outsole, and patented his designs. The first Vibram sole was dubbed the Carrarmato, Italian for “tank treads.” Vibram soles hit markets in the 1950s, and in 1954, the first successful ascent of K2, the second-highest mountain on Earth (with an elevation of 28,251′), was conquered by an Italian Expedition who wore the brand’s rubber soles on their boots. This solidified Vibram into outdoor-enthusiast fame. Although rubber lug soles are commonly found on footwear today, Vibram is favored by shoe manufacturers for being both reliable and durable. The oldest Vibram sole, the Carrarmato, is equipped with large channels that allow mud to pass through and self-clean while walking. It has a reinforced heel and toe for better performance downhill, an internal shank that provides better grip on uneven surfaces, and a PU midsole for shock absorption. Shoes that have this sole include the Timberland Lux Waterproof boot, L.L. Bean Bucksport work boot, and the Samuel Hubbard Fresh. Many Vibram soles are also slip-resistant and waterproof. The lugs found on the bottom of many Vibram soles are hexagonal shaped, as opposed to circular, which the company claims offers a better grip on terrain. These lugs maximize the property of the compound for the given sole, which means the shape, depth, and length of the lugs determine that sole’s particular performance on a given surface. Its logo—a yellow octagon-shaped box surrounding the word Vibram—is a nod to this design!... ***** GOODYEAR CORPORATION:The beginnnings and the Second World War. 1898 Goodyear's Beginnings Frank Seiberling borrows $3,500 from his brother-in-law Lucius Miles for the down payment needed to buy an abandoned strawboard factory on the banks of the Little Cuyahoga River in Akron, Ohio, founding The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company. The remainder would be paid in four yearly installments of $2,500. Frank Seiberling borrows $3,500 from his brother-in-law Lucius Miles for the down payment needed to buy an abandoned strawboard factory on the banks of the Little Cuyahoga River in Akron, Ohio. The remainder would be paid in four yearly installments of $2,500.Seiberling and his brother Charles found The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company with initial capital stock of $100,000 on August 29.Company named in honor of Charles Goodyear, who discovered the rubber vulcanization process in 1839.David Hill, who purchased $30,000 of the company's initial stock, named president.Production of carriage tires, bicycle tires, horseshoe pads and rubber sundries begins on November 21The company's first sale for $25.80 in rubber tubes for pharmaceutical bottles is recorded on December 1. 1899 Raymond Penfield, Frank Seiberling's brother-in-law and an original stockholder in Goodyear, becomes second president.Automobile tires added to Goodyear's product line.Sales for first full year of operation total $508,597, generate a profit of $34,620. 1900 The Origin of Wingfoot A meeting to discuss the idea of a suitable trademark is held in August 1900. Among the sketches prepared for the meeting is one using the winged foot of Mercury. Goodyear exhibits solid tires at Auto Show in New York.Paul Litchfield joins Goodyear as factory superintendent.Tillinghast bicycle tire license withdrawn, forcing Goodyear to alter production methods.Two-story office building constructed.Annual sales double to $1,035,921. 1901 Wingfoot First Used in Advertisement First advertisement in Saturday Evening Post with Wingfoot trademark. First advertisement in Saturday Evening Post with Wingfoot trademark.Goodyear develops first straight-side tire, with braided wire bead.George Stadelman joins the company as sales manager for carriage tires. 1902 Grant patent on carriage tires declared invalid, Goodyear's bond money returned.Construction starts on new factory building, four times larger than original plant.1903 First Tubeless Tire Paul Litchfield granted patent on first tubeless automobile tire. Lucius Miles becomes president.Paul Litchfield granted patent on first tubeless automobile tire. THE SECOND WORLD WAR: 1941 Two plants in Akron and one in Arizona start operations for Goodyear Aircraft.U.S. Navy orders 21 blimps.Mexican plant starts production.Sales increase 52 percent over 1940, reflecting Goodyear's participation in U.S. military defense program.Tire production restricted immediately after Pearl Harbor, December 7.1942 Goodyear Builds Fighter Planes Company awarded contract to build Corsair fighter planes. Company awarded contract to build Corsair fighter planes for U.S. military.Considerable production is converted to war production, including guns, shells, tank tracks, gas masks, rafts, and bullet-sealing tanks.Government synthetic rubber plants are built Akron, Houston, and Los Angeles.Goodyear holdings in Sumatra, Philippines, and Java are invaded by Japan. 1943 Goodyear awarded contract for major components of B-29 bomber.Research developed for continuous process for reacting stage of synthetic rubber manufacture, effectively increasing reactor capacity and reducing cost.New Goodyear Research Laboratory dedicated in Akron. 1944 3,000th Corsair fighter airplane constructed by Goodyear Aircraft.Plant acquired in Lincoln, Nebraska for fuel tank production.Neolite sole production begins.Goodyear starts construction of Topeka, Kansas tire facility for the U.S. government. 1945 V-J Day brings with it cancellation of more than $400 million of government contracts, return of first of more than 26,000 employees in U.S. armed forces.Lincoln, Nebraska and Topeka, Kansas factories purchased from U.S. government.Work starts on tire plant in Peru.

Price: 427.5 USD

Location: Little Rock, Arkansas

End Time: 2025-01-20T17:53:34.000Z

Shipping Cost: 24.95 USD