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[quote][i]Originally posted by Bodhisagan[/i]
[br]I'm very new to this business of reenacting (I've yet to do it, that's how new) and I'm trying to get some gear together for a Rev War militia group.  They seem to be very big on authenticity, which I really like but I'm a bit confused about some things they have to say about shoes...

Ok among recommended vendors for shoes they list fugawee, but say they have some issues with authenticity, particularly with the tongues of their shoes.  Apparently most shoes of the period weren't just straight lasted, but also tongueless?

Strangely fugawee's Ligonier shoe (Shown at http://www.fugawee.com/Men's%20Colonial.htm) looks very well researched and the size and existence of its tongue appears to be based on that research.  Also in "The Book of the Continental Soldier" I saw shoes that were supposedly issued to Regulars of the period, not only had tongues, but weren’t straight lasted either.

Are shoes a hot button issue?  Also where else might a guy find shoes from mid 18th century that are high on authenticity, and reasonable on price?

Steve

[/quote]

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T O P I C R E V I E W
Bodhisagan	Posted - December 22 2003 : 02:10:54 AM I'm very new to this business of reenacting (I've yet to do it, that's how new) and I'm trying to get some gear together for a Rev War militia group. They seem to be very big on authenticity, which I really like but I'm a bit confused about some things they have to say about shoes... Ok among recommended vendors for shoes they list fugawee, but say they have some issues with authenticity, particularly with the tongues of their shoes. Apparently most shoes of the period weren't just straight lasted, but also tongueless? Strangely fugawee's Ligonier shoe (Shown at http://www.fugawee.com/Men's%20Colonial.htm) looks very well researched and the size and existence of its tongue appears to be based on that research. Also in "The Book of the Continental Soldier" I saw shoes that were supposedly issued to Regulars of the period, not only had tongues, but weren’t straight lasted either. Are shoes a hot button issue? Also where else might a guy find shoes from mid 18th century that are high on authenticity, and reasonable on price? Steve
12 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First)
Henry dit Henry	Posted - April 03 2004 : 4:56:28 PM The name is Louis Phillippe Métail , I have a pair of shoes bought from him , they are rather comfortable , made of high quality leather by "Boulet " factory , on special order . http://www.bouletboots.com/bienvenue.htm ( do not try to find them elsewere , they are a spécial contract from Boulet ) Now , Boulets boots do not have the authentic XVIII th cen. forms : there is a right and a left foot . If it is OK with your group, go for it . I plan to order a pair from Fugaway someday as they look more authentic , even if less comfortable. Henry dit ... Henry
wlogwihlas	Posted - January 02 2004 : 11:59:31 AM quote: Originally posted by 42ndNCO Steve, My current pair I purchased at Ft Fred a couple years ago from some French Canadian named Louie. Sorry I can't recall his company or last name. Louie Phalipe-falipe- however you spell it. he is at almost every major reenactment. a friend has a pair and swears by them. another friend felt jipped. if you do buy a pair of his shoes, it is cheaper to buy your own buckles. his are expensive.
SgtMunro	Posted - January 01 2004 : 11:04:18 PM Good Evening Ranger Goodrich, the FIQ (Frogs In Question) are from the "Flying Canoe Trading Company" based out of Montreal. They do have a website, Ranger Thacher has posted it above. I hope this helps... Your Most Humble Servant,
Pvt. Chauncey	Posted - January 01 2004 : 9:51:01 PM Good evening, Shoes are not usually a hot button but I have to say, I truly enjoy wearing my colonial shoes. I bought mine from Burnley and Trowbridge (hmmmm... something wrong with their website, but you can find a phone number for them on the web). I picked up my first pair from them at the 225th for Battle Road, put them on and marched all day in them. No problems AT ALL. In fact, I have foot problems normally but not in their shoes. Some of my fellow Rangers swear by the shoes made by some French but we don't shoot these frogs because their shoes are so good. If you don't like them ANY TIME after buying them (a month, two months...) they will refund your money or fit you with a new pair. I don't know who they are but they are EVERYWHERE. You can't miss them at an event. Other people where black suede shoes/boots that they alter to wear with colonial buckles, especially those with bad feet. That's my perspective. YHOS, Pvt. Chauncey quote: Originally posted by Bodhisagan I'm very new to this business of reenacting (I've yet to do it, that's how new) and I'm trying to get some gear together for a Rev War militia group. They seem to be very big on authenticity, which I really like but I'm a bit confused about some things they have to say about shoes... Ok among recommended vendors for shoes they list fugawee, but say they have some issues with authenticity, particularly with the tongues of their shoes. Apparently most shoes of the period weren't just straight lasted, but also tongueless? Strangely fugawee's Ligonier shoe (Shown at http://www.fugawee.com/Men's%20Colonial.htm) looks very well researched and the size and existence of its tongue appears to be based on that research. Also in "The Book of the Continental Soldier" I saw shoes that were supposedly issued to Regulars of the period, not only had tongues, but weren’t straight lasted either. Are shoes a hot button issue? Also where else might a guy find shoes from mid 18th century that are high on authenticity, and reasonable on price? Steve
CT•Ranger	Posted - December 23 2003 : 6:21:42 PM quote: Originally posted by Bodhisagan Great info guys. The group I'm interested is a militia in the S.E. US. They mention hi-los, but caution about fitting them into one's impression. Apparently hi-los would have been for a wealthier person, and that most folks in the SE were fairly poor/lower middle class. Hi-lows may have been worn by wealthier men, like Jefferson but I do not believe they were limited solely to the upper class. If you look at the quote used on Fugawee's website you see tradesmen or the middle class wearing them. St James Chronicle, 1763, comments on 'tradesmen who ape their betters....breeches almost met by a pair of shoes that reached about three and a quarter inches above the ankles.' I've also heard that during the Englsih Civil War these type of shoes were worn by lower class English farmers. I know that doesn't necessarily carry over to the 18th century. In short I don't believe these shoes should be limited to an upper class impression, especially in NE or PA. I would be comfortable wearing them for a New England militia or Continental impression. As for whether these were worn in the SE I can not comment, never been there, and never studied this area. Just my two pence.
Seamus	Posted - December 23 2003 : 10:48:44 AM You are correct, Duncan, we do the same. As one who has suffered NASTY falls with leather soles and heels, and an observer of a near-fatal fall, I endorse rubber. In addition, there are historic homes/sites where wearing hobnailed, horseshoed, or metal-cleated heels are not only forbidden by staff, but to wear them on old wooden floors is in extremely poor taste, as such foors are easily disfigured. Happy Holidays all!
SgtMunro	Posted - December 23 2003 : 09:12:11 AM A quick note about rubber heals on 'period' shoes. My unit allows folks to have rubber heals, and/or soles (so long as the look like leather from the sides) on their uniform shoes. This is a safety issue, alot like the brass flashguards we install on our firelocks (not period correct, but good safety sense), and it is common sense to allow such things to prevent accidents. Your Most Humble Servant,
Bodhisagan	Posted - December 23 2003 : 01:15:21 AM Great info guys. The group I'm interested is a militia in the S.E. US. They mention hi-los, but caution about fitting them into one's impression. Apparently hi-los would have been for a wealthier person, and that most folks in the SE were fairly poor/lower middle class. I think I might try the ligoniers. I too am not too picky about shoes either. I've seen shoes 3x more expensive, but I can't go there now even if I had enough experience to prefer them. Thanks again, Steve
CT•Ranger	Posted - December 22 2003 : 11:49:59 PM Also, 18th century leather shoes can be very slippery on grass or pine needles, or especially slippery on indoor tile floors! A good way to increase your traction on outdoor surfaces is with hob nails which you can get from "Najecki's Reproductions." http://www.najecki.com/repro/Shoes.html But with hob nails the shoes will still be slippery on indoor surfaces like tile.
CT•Ranger	Posted - December 22 2003 : 11:39:39 PM Steve, I don't believe shoes are a hot button issue, as long as you have good reproduction 18th century shoes and not modern shoes disguised to look like 18th century shoes. The French Canadien that Ensign McMillan is talking about may be Louis-Philippe of Flying Canoe Trader http://www.flyingcanoetraders.com/ I've heard a lot of good things about this trader and his shoes, but you should be aware that they come with rubber heels. I have a pair of Fugawee's Ligionier shoes and have not had any problems with them. But I'm not very picky when it comes to shoes, and fairly tolerant of foot pain. Since I like lace up boots, I've been thinking about getting a pair of Fugawee's "Hi-lows," which should probably more correctly be called "startups" or "half boots." http://www.fugawee.com/hilow.htm These were around as far back as the mid-17th century, and are appropriate for F&I and Rev War. I've also heard a lot of good things about these from some historical trekkers.
SgtMunro	Posted - December 22 2003 : 10:55:46 PM quote: I had a bad experience with Fugawee's Bought a pair new in 2000 and ditched them before the year was over. Tell me Ensign, would that have been during the Ticonderoga 'Death March', when we were with Robertson's Coy. of the 77th? Your Most Humble Servant,
42ndNCO	Posted - December 22 2003 : 9:34:21 PM Steve, On shoes: Spend as much as you can for the highest quality you can get. A great looking kit, musket, uniform, etc. won't mean crap if your feet hurt at the end of the day. There may be guys out there who tell you things like, "I've had these shoes since 1976!" That may be, but they either don't attend many events in a year or they're lying to you. If you go to more than 7 events a year(marching and manuevering ones), look to get 3 - 5 years out of a pair. (If anyone has gotten more than this, I'd like to know where they got their shoes!) In my experience as both a revwar and F&I re-enactor, the Ligonier shoes should be acceptable, unless your unit has a specific footwear in mind. I've never heard of a tongue-less shoe unless the "tongue" was stitched or attached to the upper somehow. I had a bad experience with Fugawee's Bought a pair new in 2000 and ditched them before the year was over. My current pair I purchased at Ft Fred a couple years ago from some French Canadian named Louie. Sorry I can't recall his company or last name. Hope this helps!

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