Ammunition Boots

Pair of boots, part of the uniform worn by Mr Hackwill while in the Royal Norfolk Regiment, 1st Battalion iin 1946. Good boots are the most vital piece of uniform issued to an infantry soldier. This is a pair of ankle (ammunition boots) of a type identical to those worn during the Second World War. Each is of grained black leather with smoothed toe and heel caps. The sole is protected by studs or 'hobs' in five rows and a steel toe-plate and heel cleat. 'These were issued up to 1959, when the DMS (directly moulded sole) boots came in, which were all-rubber soled. Before 1959, rubber soled boots were only worn by those needing to move soundlessly, such as Commandos or military policemen. Ammunition boots were normally repaired every 6-8 weeks as the studs and steel heels would wear out really quickly. Normally there are 17 studs on a sole, and it was a chargeable offence if found short! Ammo boots are still used today by Drill Instructors and the like because of the noise they make when marching.' (Stuart Jacobs )