Heel Plate Question

[62nd Virginia]

Hi Group,
I have a pair of Fugawee Brogans and a set of steel heel plates. I have never done this before and was wondering if they are easy to put on yourself? If so, what is the best way. Also I am looking for a pair of used white canvas gaiters in a size medium. Thanks.
Tom

[lincolnsguard]

Best to have someone put on your heel plates for you. And, what provinance do you have for the unit you're portraying wearing gaitors? The men hated, them and by Chancellorosville, they were gone, gone gone for the most part...'cept for the zou zou's. And, on the Corn-fed side, they were rare at best. The Corn-feds had better uses for their cloth.

[civwarhistory]

I agree, have someone put them on. My brogans, which are second hand, came with heel plates, and while they sound cool on the gravel paths at events, I had to remove them and have a black rubber heel put on by a shoe repair shop (it blends perfectly), as they were a bit dangerous walking on tile floors when doing displays due to lack of traction. Heel plates are not worth taking a spill over.

[TheQM]

And, what provinance do you have for the unit you're portraying wearing gaitors? The men hated, them and by Chancellorosville, they were gone, gone gone for the most part...'cept for the zou zou's. And, on the Corn-fed side, they were rare at best. The Corn-feds had better uses for their cloth.

Eli,

You are such a Party Pooper.

[Radar]

I agree, have someone put them on. I had to remove them and have a black rubber heel put on by a shoe repair shop (it blends perfectly), as they were a bit dangerous walking on tile floors when doing displays due to lack of traction. Heel plates are not worth taking a spill over.

Had that experience before, and it's not fun. Several of us were at a presentation in a restored hotel (still in use) with mable floors. One stepp off the elevator and I put on a show for the folks in the hall.

[lincolnsguard]

Sorry, Bill. It is, after all, history. LOL.

[reddcorp]

Had that experience before, and it's not fun. Several of us were at a presentation in a restored hotel (still in use) with mable floors. One stepp off the elevator and I put on a show for the folks in the hall.

We just keep a roll of duct tape handy to cover the heel plates for such occasions. You know duct tape can solve just about any problem.

A. Redd

[pumpkin boy]

Tom ,

They are fairly simple to put on if you can obtain a shoe last . They can be found in most antique stores for a reasonable price . Do you have the correct iron nails too ? I would do em for you , but you live down in Florida and I live in NJ . Ha Ha !! Save your money and forget those gaiters . Trust me ! Use your money towards a last or something better spent .

Karl

[Cadet]

One tip to walking on slippery surfaces like marble and polished concrete (besides the duct tape--which is an excellent idea) is to walk on the balls of your feet and never on your heels. You might feel a bit like a dandy doing that, but you will slip a lot less.

[Radar]

We just keep a roll of duct tape handy to cover the heel plates for such occasions. You know duct tape can solve just about any problem.

A. Redd

And a McGyver knife.