Pictures Unusual Officer / Riding boots

[Falmouth]

Hello all

First of all forgive me if I make any faux pas in forum etiquette as this is my first post here.

My mystery concerns a set of officer boots I was given as a present over 10 years ago in Warsaw. They were made by the bootmaker to the Polish army and from the parades that I attended then it seemed that this anomaly was present in most of the boots of the parading officers.

It is the unusual 'hump' at the back above the ankle containing a wooden splint running up the back of the boots - which I can only guess is there to keep the boot's form and prevent wrinkles in the leather..

Has anyone come across this peculiarity amongst army officer boots before and importantly would it be unsafe to use them as riding/polo boots? They would certainly make a fantastic impression but would the wooden insert prevent or cause more damage to the leg in the event of a fall?

Pleased to hear if anyone can shed light here

 

[cobgoblin]

No idea about the safety, but I've just seen a black pair for sale for £950 and they were nowhere as nice as yours.

 

[Falmouth]

Also Polish or from elsewhere?

 

[Melody Grey]

Is there any way of removing the wooden inserts? Are they meant to stay in as you wear them?

They are beautiful but I would also be reluctant to ride in them like that.

 

[cobgoblin]

They were Polish from I think 1931...ill try and find the link.

 

[cobgoblin]

http://www.sarmatia-antiques.com/gb/glowna/244-pre-ww2-polish-officers-boots-wz31.html

 

[Melody Grey]

My everyday long boots (not technically riding boots) are relatively floppy compared to 'proper' riding ones but they stay up fine so they'd probably be ok minus the wood?

Then again if they're worth £1k, I'd probably leave them well alone...or sell them and buy another horse!

 

[Falmouth]

Is there any way of removing the wooden inserts? Are they meant to stay in as you wear them?

They are beautiful but I would also be reluctant to ride in them like that.

The wooden insert is sewn into the back of the boots so cannot be removed

They have not disturbed me riding but it a question of whether this makes any difference during a fall - are stiff boots perhaps better than more flexible ones?

 

[cobgoblin]

These have the hump on the back and are new.. They are described as Riding boots

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NEW-CHRO...2837589839:g:InkAAOSwyWZZPpgA&redirect=mobile

 

[milliepops]

Expensive dressage boots are traditionally reinforced with a whalebone stiffener at the back and they're obviously fine to ride in. I wouldn't have given it a second thought if it's not uncomfortable tbh (though I'm with MG and would sell them and buy another horse 😂)

 

[Pinkvboots]

I have a pair of old style cavallo boots that are rigid at the back, I don't think they have wood in them though just very stiff, I have worn them quite a bit but since I broke my ankle I haven't tried them on.

If there comfortable I don't see a problem wearing them but if you can sell for £950 I think I would be flogging them.

 

[Falmouth]

Expensive dressage boots are traditionally reinforced with a whalebone stiffener at the back and they're obviously fine to ride in. I wouldn't have given it a second thought if it's not uncomfortable tbh (though I'm with MG and would sell them and buy another horse 😂)

Fascinating, I had a look and Konig indeed make a boot with whale bone stiffening to the rear.

I do rather like these boots, and being a present will certainly not be selling them! - however I do hope the stiffening is made from wood rather than taken from an unfortunate whale..

 

[little_critter]

I don't believe whalebone is actually made from real whale any more (but happy to be corrected)

 

[Falmouth]

I may have put on some weight during lockdown... and am having difficulty putting the boots (photographed in first post) on now.

I am considering the 'warm bath' method to stretch the leather out a bit around the calves and instep as well as using saddle soap to soften the leather afterwards - has anyone tried this with tight/stiff boots with whale bone stiffeners ?

 

[eggs]

My original Cavallo boots (circa 1984) have a whalebone stiffener up the back. Never had an issue riding in them.

 

[Auslander]

Same re whalebone - I had two pairs of Cavallo boots in my younger days, both of which had whalebone. I think that most boots nowadays have zips up the back so the whalebone isn't common any more, and people don't expect to see it. Perfectly fine to use.
I had the whalebone shortened in my jumping boots, as I couldn't get my stirrups short enough without bruising the back of my knees!

 

[Muddywellies]

It's just where the whalebone ends and the boots have dropped a little at the ankle.

Ah no, just realised it's another old post that's been resurrected. Ignore me.