There are a lot of misconceptions aaround in terms of jump boots lately. Ever since the release of Band of Brothers people have been parting with thier money like mad in an attempt to get an ORIGINAL pair of Jump Boots. Unfortunately only about 20% of jump boots offered as original WW2 are.
9 times out of 10 what people are actually bidding on (and winning) are RUSSET COMBAT BOOTS from the 1950's. These boots came out in 1949 (Promise) and where met with favourable reviews by all who wore them, they where comfortable and gave excellent ankle support. They featured a Good Year sole, toe and heel caps and looked nice and pretty with the old uniforms. Oh and heres the kicker, they where issued to...EVERYONE!!!
The boots everyone has been buying up like mad to get ORIGINAL JUMP BOOTS aren't even special issue to paratroopers!!! They were worn by ALL members of the armed services!!! Private snuffy in supply wore a pair, private sad sack in tank repair wore them! They are not jump boots! They where intentionally copied from BOOTS, PARACHUTE JUMPER in order to make everyone feel special and included but they where different enough so they paratroopers couldn't complain. Hell, they even bloused thier trousers over the top! Just like paratroopers! Sacrilidge!
So buyer beware! When you are bidding know that you are probably not bidding on Original Jump boots but common look a likes. Correct Jump Boots often go for around the $300 mark. Often more.
But here is the good news, Russet Combat Boots only go for between $50-$150 dollars, and because they aren't really a peice of history you can wear them without destroying a priceless peice of history. And if you want something to add to your collection thats kinda old and looks the part then go for it, I have. But be aware that you are not buying a pair of actual jump boots.
Well all this information is fine but how do you tell them apart? What follows are some pointers to watch out for:
1. The first thing to look for is a date. Jump boots NEVER (in my knowledge) have a date on them ANYWHERE. Russet boots have a date inked inside them with the contractor information. On worn examples this is probably worn off.
2. Sizing information! Jump boots will have thier size in 2 places, on Corcoran examples the size is stamped with the manufacturer on the INSIDE!!! On russet boots the size is stamped on the OUTSIDE with the contractors initials in a small box. ALSO Jump boot widths are given as a letter from AA to EEE whereas Russet boots give their width as an abbreviation eg. XN, W, XW. This information can be found stamped into the leather around the top cuff of the boot. Also jump boots have been known to have thier size stamped into the leather instep, on WW2 examples at least.
3. The sole pattern, this is a BIG give away. Correct JUMP BOOTS have a LEATHER Midsole and RUBBER HALF SOLES!!! This means you should be able to see a portion of leather between the heel block and the rubber forward sole. If this is not the case then they are probably NOT JUMP BOOTS!!! And don't forget about the bevelled HEEL if the heel is not on a slant and you can't see a LEATHER instep, they are NOT Jump Boots. Unless they have been resoled. Never seen it ever. On RUSSET BOOTS the sole is a full rubber sole that runs from toe until it dissapears under the heel block which is also non bevelled rubber. The sole pattern differs to, RUSSET boots have a protruding diamond pattern like on buckle boots, jump boots don't. Also JUMP boot soles are sewn on by two rows of stitching, RUSSET boots have only one.
4. The next difference is the heel cap. On a Jump Boot the Heel Cap wraps around the heel and that is it. However some manufactururs vary. On a Russet boot the heel cap wraps around the heel and extends up the back strap till about half way and rounds off. You'll know what I mean when you see it.
5. Jump boots have a hard reinforced toe cap, Russet beoots have NO reinforcing, just like Double Buckle boots! Also Jump boots tend to have the little holes between the two rows of stitching. (Commonly but NOT ALWAYS)
6. Finally, Russet boots tend to have about 11 rows of eyelets, Jump boots mostly have 12, minor and it varys but some thing to watch out for.
So armed with this new knowledge we all, buyer and seller alike can stop being fooled. All those who knew this all along and where trying to pull a fast one and rip off a customer better watch out now. However it was probably just a case of not knowing, I mean who would know the difference unless you had read about Korean War Uniforms. It's not to say a paratrooper wouldn't have worn a pair in Korea, but they certaily didn't in WW2. More commonly in Korea though everybody just wore the buckle boot because Russet and Jump boots where not widely available unless you where an officer or privately purchased a pair, which was uncommon.
At some stage I will post pictures too but if anyone wishes to argue or has a question don't hesitate to contact me.
RUSSET Boot on the left, JUMP Boot on the right.
Look closely the RUSSET boot (left) has the heel cap which extends up the back the JUMP boot (right) does not. Note also the Bevelled heel on the JUMP Boot.
Sole Comparison. The JUMP boot (Top) has a HALF SOLE (You can see the leather mid sole between heel block and forward sole) You can also make out the size marking if you look closely. Also note the double row of stitching. The RUSSET Boot (Bottom) has a full sole and you can clearly the heel is not bevelled (Slanted backwards from top to bottom) Note the diamond pattern sole and single row of stitching.
Look closely, this is the top cuff of the RUSSET Boot, stamped into the Leather is the sizing information. It reads 15 XN and in a box GV. You will not find this on a JUMP Boot. Note also that the size width is given as an abbreviation in this case XN for Extra Narrow.
Toe Cap Comparison. The RUSSET Boot (left) has no holes between the two stitching rows whereas the JUMP Boot (right) does. Also the RUSSET Boot has no toe reinforcement you can clearly see a slight dent in thetoe of the RUSSET Boot (left).
Heel Comparison. You can clearly see the difference the RUSSET Boot (right) has a heel cap that extends up the back strap whereas the JUMP Boot (left) cuts straight across.
RUSSET Boot contractor information and DATE. It reads JUNE 25, 1953 15 XN 5750 1 INTERNATIONAL SHOE CO. then the DA number. This will be absent from most if not all JUMP Boots.
With these pictures now these os no excuse for intentional miss representation of boots being sold. Anyone considering buying a pair of JUMP BOOTS should refer to this first and consider the above examples. I welcome questions or critisism, I'll be glad to help any way I can!
