Hobnail Patterns, Authentic?
I see a boot and shoe maker offering Hobnail "Pattern" service. Question, would it be historically correct for footwear of the period to have designs or patterns in the hobnails on the soles of the shoes and boots, or is this just something that the boot maker is doing on its own?
-Patrick Q.
The search function is an under valued and under utilzed resource. Here's a recent thread about hobnails : http://www.cwreenactors.com/forum/sh...ad.php?t=20107
Nice photos, too.
Silas Tackitt
"While the original battle [Gettysburg] may arguably be considered the epicenter of the history of the war, the GAC reenactment is not the epicenter of the hobby. To confuse or equate the two is unfortunate. - Bernard Biederman, 6 July 2012
"Authenticity conflicts occur when reenactors from one end of the spectrum attend events at the other end of the spectrum then try to impose their own standards instead of event standards."
Seen It.
Yes, I did come across that post when I did as I always do, run a search first. It does not answer my specific question of did they put creative 'designs' in the hobnails on the footwear of the period. I can't seem to pin down this one. If anyone knows about this specific detail, please let me know. I'll keep on looking though.Originally Posted by Silas
-Patrick Q.
After seeing that thread, I don't see why anyone would want to put hobnails on their shoes. Yeah, you get traction on grass, but you substantially diminish the life of the shoes.
I fairness, I jumped to the conclusion that you wanted to know about patterns so you could get ideas for something you wanted done or wanted to do yourself. Doesn't sound like that was the reason for your question.
Silas Tackitt
"While the original battle [Gettysburg] may arguably be considered the epicenter of the history of the war, the GAC reenactment is not the epicenter of the hobby. To confuse or equate the two is unfortunate. - Bernard Biederman, 6 July 2012
"Authenticity conflicts occur when reenactors from one end of the spectrum attend events at the other end of the spectrum then try to impose their own standards instead of event standards."
You need to read further in the discussion before concluding that hobnails destroy soles. I could go on at length about what lasts and doesn't when it comes to boots and miles, but the best response is one word: caliga.
M. A. Schaffner
Midstream Regressive Complainer
Caliga? Those would be fine under the principle of "when in Rome..."
Silas Tackitt
"While the original battle [Gettysburg] may arguably be considered the epicenter of the history of the war, the GAC reenactment is not the epicenter of the hobby. To confuse or equate the two is unfortunate. - Bernard Biederman, 6 July 2012
"Authenticity conflicts occur when reenactors from one end of the spectrum attend events at the other end of the spectrum then try to impose their own standards instead of event standards."
Thought that was Caligula?
Ross L. Lamoreaux
Tampa Bay History Center
www.tampabayhistorycenter.org
"The simplest things, done well, can carry a huge impact" - Karin Timour, 2012
He was named after the heavy studded shoe of the roman legion soldiers.....caliga:Caligula
RJ Samp
Horniste! Blas das Signal zum Angriffe!
"But in the end, it's the history, stupid. If you can't document it, forget about it. And no amount of 'tomfoolery' can explain away conduct that in the end makes history (and living historians) look stupid and wrong. "
The point is, as I mentioned in the other thread, if hobnails ruined shoes someone in the last two thousand years might have noticed. Have you removed your heel plates yet?
But while we're on the subject, you've got to admire the design of the caliga. The uppers come pre-slashed and they readily adjust to swelling feet: http://de.academic.ru/pictures/dewik..._from_side.jpg
M. A. Schaffner
Midstream Regressive Complainer
Wow, just when I think it's going to be a dull day someone pops in with caliga- Caligula. Now I can refresh my Cliff Clavin impression.
Bill Watson
I write about history for people who regret not being there when it happened.
Books
Brother William's War, Illustrated, about a Southerner's war
The Ludlam Legacy, Illustrated, about a young Yankee orphan's war.
Seize the Day! A best-practices guide to wringing more satisfaction from your Civil War weekend
The Little Book of Civil War Reenacting: An introduction for those who want to try it out
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