Ammunition Boot

Pair of soldier's black leather Ammunition boots. Unlined ankle-boots originally with leather laces, iron heel-plate and toe-plate, and an iron-studded leather sole. Size 12 M X The vamp (front) and quarters (sides) are made of a contrasting type of leather than the toe case (toe cap) and counter (heel cap), one made of "pebble-grained" (dimpled) leather and the other of smooth leather. They were designed to be hard-wearing and long-lasting rather than comfortable. The hobnail-studded soles made a loud crunching sound when the wearer was marching, earning them the nickname "crunchies". The term Ammunition Boot is derived from the fact that the word 'ammunition' was originally applied to all war like stores. Ammunition boots, also known as Boots, ankle, General Service (BGS), were the standard footwear for the British Army through the first half of the 20th Century.