American made reproductions of the WWII Combat Service Boots, often referred to as "double buckle boots". Almost as soon as the War began, the shortcomings of the service shoes and leggings became readily apparent. The QMC immediately instituted a program to develop a universal boot to replace leggings as well as jump boots. First tested in Italy in 1943, the Combat Service Boot was approved for mass production late that year and mass production began in January 1944. These were manufactured concurrently with the Type III Service Shoes ("roughouts"). By the Fall of 1944, these had begun to replace the older model boots, although they never totally supplanted them before the end of WWII. Airborne troops in particular resisted replacing their distinctive jump boots, and paratroopers wore a mix of both styles from September until the end of the War. Made in USA Sizing: Only D width (regular), sizes 8-13, in whole and halfs. Fit is accurate- the manufacturer is a US military contractor and their lasts are correctly sized. Laces: WWII boots were made and issued with 40" (101,6cm) laces. Many people complain that this can't be right. It is. The US Army did not make boots with laces like drawcords on a laundry bags in WWII. Each time you put them on, one needs to take up the slack in each eyelet and then there is enough to tie, but not so much as to leave "rappelling ropes" flopping about on the boots. Size doesn't matter- 8's and 13's have the same length eyelet run.
