Description
German M1866 Marschstiefel (Marching Boots)
This pair of German M1866 Marschstiefel represents a long-serving pattern of military footwear that remained in use well into the First World War. Originally manufactured in brown leather, boots of this type were commonly blackened beginning in 1915 to comply with wartime regulations that standardized blackened leather equipment across the Imperial German Army.
The boots are constructed of heavy, calf-length leather designed for extended marching and field wear. The soles are fitted with metal hobnails, providing durability and traction on varied terrain, a defining characteristic of 19th- and early 20th-century military footwear. The leather remains intact and serviceable, retaining a degree of pliability despite expected stiffening from age.
Original woven canvas boot pulls are present at the tops of the shafts. These remain firmly affixed and intact, a detail often lost on surviving examples due to hard use. The boots have been stored with paper fillers to help preserve their original shape, contributing to their well-maintained profile.
Leather stitching throughout is in good condition, with no major separations or repairs noted. Surface wear, creasing, and finish variation are consistent with age and prolonged service life rather than postwar alteration.
The M1866 Marschstiefel is significant for its longevity, bridging pre-unification German armies through the Imperial period and into the First World War. Examples that retain sound leather, intact stitching, and original construction details are increasingly scarce. This pair offers a clear representation of regulation German marching footwear and is well suited for study, display, or inclusion in a broader collection of Imperial German uniforms and field equipment.
