More WW2-Era Swedish Boots

Here is another pair of WW2-era Swedish boots. They are stamped with the year of manufacture, 1942, and the size, 42, although this is incorrect, as the boots are actually a size 46. As with the boots previously listed, these have originally been leather soled, but retrofitted with Tretorn rubber soles in the 1960s or '70s to bring them in line with the newer M/59 boots used at the time. The date on the soles is 1967.

SADF Boots

These boots are from the South African Defence Force.They are made in dark brown leather, with the older "ripple" type tread, and would have been what was worn with the old nutria uniform during the South African Bush War (1966-89).

Royal Navy Boots

This is an old pair of Royal Navy ammo boots. Unlike the more common army version, these have no toe caps and are steel toed, and lined with canvas in the toes. They have the Royal Ordnance /|\ marking below the heel.

Finnish Army Jackboots

Here is a pair of old Finnish Army jackboots. These are the kind worn during the Winter War and the Continuation War, and which remained in service as late as the 1980s. This is the older model with leather soles. The later versions were similar, but with a rubber crepe sole as well. Like most Nordic boots, these run quite large to accommodate footwraps. I have found that they fit perfectly if worn with either footwraps and a pair of woollen socks or two pairs of woollen socks. For the latter, I found that a standard army sock on the inside and a British Arctic sock as the outside layer does the trick for me. They are very comfortable in the Finnish winter weather once you get into them, although I have no intentions of combining these with a 1980s style turquoise shell suit as I've seen one Finn do, whilst doing his Sunday exercise in the forest.

These were purchased from Varusteleka online.

Finnish Army Low Boots

Here is a pair of Finnish Army boots I picked up for 10 Euro in a surplus store in Hämeenlinna in Finland. I have no idea of when they were produced, although I'd guess they are postwar. As with the Swedish boots below and the Finnish jackboots of the same era, these have the groove in the heel to take the ski binding.

Above are a pair of Finnish Army issue rubber half soles, which were often added to the boots.