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.

Swedish Army M/59 Boots

Here is a pair of 1964-dated Swedish Army M/59 boots made by Tretorn. Again, these can be obtained from Mike & Nike.

Swedish WW2 Ski Boot

Below is another type of Swedish boot to see service during the war. I have seen this referred to as a "ski boot", but is probably really the first type of marching boot that the Swedish army used which could be adapted for ski use, just like the later M/59 and M/90 marching boots can be used with skis. The boot has a square toe and a groove in the heel to take the ski binding. It appears that the boot has been retrofitted some time after the war, having the leather sole replaced with a M/59 type rubber sole. These boots seem to come very cheaply on the surplus market these days. I have three different pairs of these, all with slight variations. The overall shape seems is fairly close to the M/59 boot, which the military used from the late 1950s to the late 1980s. This pair was obtained from Mike and Nike, a Swedish surplus store for only 80 Swedish Kronor. They are unusual in that they are made in smooth black leather instead of the more common brown pebbled version. The boots were bought brand new, and must be one of the best pairs of boots you can get for £8!



















Detail below showing the older type Swedish crown stamped on the boot.

The last photo shows the boot next to a standard M/59 boot (right). Note that, although both boots are size 46, the M/59 is wider and heavier.