Hi-Lows, Buskins, Trekkers
Black & Natural laced Half Boots
Several names for the same boot. This type of footwear was seen in paintings of English sporting scenes in the mid-1700s. It was firmly established in the new Republic before the Revolution. Thomas Jefferson's hi-low "Overshoes" may be seen in "Collector's Illustrated. Encyclopedia of the American Revolution". Castle Books 1975 Neumann and Kravic (pg 123)
Also see Troiani's Lexington Minute Man.
Dyed black, these duplicate military shoes from 1812 through the Mexican war. See the QM Corps official web site. http://www.qmfound.com/changes_in_the_army_uniform_1895.htm or look below for a Left/right model.
June Swann, foremost British shoe expert says in "Shoes" (ISBN 0 7134 0942 8) P.28:
"There were also half boots from the 1750s, cut a little higher than modern ankle boots, which descend from them and worn for shooting and by the military. 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.' They were typical wear for both sides during the American War of Independence (see Peale's portrait of Captain John Harleston of Chicago."
See the Troiani painting of the Lexington Minute Man and his painting of the battle of Bunker Hill.
Fugawee's laced half-boot is a left-right model of the Hi-Lo Trekker. It is built in a completely new and roomier last adapted from originals. If you look at the American Rifleman article on muskets of the Revolution, you will see that Troiani portrays General Warren standing atop the parapet with sword in hand as he waits to see "the whites of their eyes." He is wearing black Hi-Lows / Black Half Boots.
Someone asked Nancy where Troiani found his authenticity. Frankly, I wouldn't dare to ask that question of Don Troiani. The man is painstaking in all his research. So is Al Saguto, the Williamsburg cordwainer who contributes the following:
One detail from the surviving 18th c. boots: where the original lacing survives, it's always "spiral" laced, that is the length of thong is knotted at one end
[the bottom], and it spirals round and round up the front opening, then is half-hitch looped, and the other end tucked inside the boot.......
DA Saguto
An ideal trekking boot, soon to be the US Army regulation footwear, the hi-low would have been the laced boot favored by President Jefferson as the footwear for the Brigade he sent into the wilderness.
Fugawee's eight inch Hi-Low boot is built on the same straight last used for our 1758 Ligonier. Fugawee made a slight addition to the boots worn by Jefferson. We have added a sturdy tongue to further protect your feet from the entrance of grass and trash.
This solid leather boot is presented in rough-out natural color only. You may dye it if you like but lots of woods walking and leather dressing and a few wet days in camp will give you a fine russet color. Remember; "Moccasins are a dignified way of going barefoot."
In stock in sizes from 7d through 15ee. $121 plus $12. shipping.
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Left
& Right Black
half-boot or Black Trekker
Also available in Natural color.
As seen in Troiani's painting of Bunker Hill.
So many of our clients went to the trouble of dying their Trekkers black that we decided to do it at the factory.
This boot later became the proper, "four inches above the ankle" Jefferson Bootee for 1812, Seminole War and Mexican War. Remember, all laced shoes were called "Jefferson" until the 1880s.
Go to: http://www.qmfound.com/changes_in_the_army_uniform_1895.htm for substantiation and more very interesting reading from the official site of the US Army Quartermaster Corp. Once you are in the site, it will lead you to the official Quartermaster Museum site. Forget mowing the lawn.
Civil War re-enactors with foot problems are delighted with the extra ankle support.
In response to inquiries for a left-right Trekker, Fugawee now offers the black half boot in full and half sizes, 6 to 15 and in widths D and EE. $121 plus $12. shipping.