Buckle Shoes

**The Guy in the Kilt at UC** · 24th July 09, 11:01 AM

What does it mean when they say shoes are straight lasted?

**HeathBar** · 24th July 09, 11:08 AM

It means that there is no right foot or left foot. Either shoe could go either foot. I would imagine that after wearing them for some time they would at some point begin to mould to the foot and would then be associated with either the left or right foot.

**The Guy in the Kilt at UC** · 24th July 09, 11:13 AM

I imagine then that they would not be so comfortable. Does anyone have experience with this type of shoe?

**Dall_Piobaire** · 24th July 09, 02:55 PM

Comfortable in our terms...no. They do wear in and mold to the foot a bit after awhile. The stockings/hose are quite thick so that helps a bit.

The old legend was that the common soldier didn't know his right form his left, remember the Hay foot/Straw foot deal. This is probably just one of those tales though.

**Chas** · 24th July 09, 03:20 PM

Originally Posted by Dall_Piobaire

Comfortable in our terms...no. They do wear in and mold to the foot a bit after awhile. The stockings/hose are quite thick so that helps a bit.

The old legend was that the common soldier didn't know his right form his left, remember the Hay foot/Straw foot deal. This is probably just one of those tales though.

I do not know how accurate the following is, but it is certainly entertaining and informative.

http://www.americanheritage.com/arti...957_3_30.shtml

Regards

Chas

**piperdbh** · 24th July 09, 05:34 PM

There's a very informative thread about this very subject entitled "shoes". I tried to post a link here, but it didn't work.

**Dall_Piobaire** · 24th July 09, 05:37 PM

I dunno, I think I would look to our own Cajunscot for that!

They start off by saying hay foot straw foot was civil war, or at least that was the title, But I am realatively sure that came from Von Steuben's frustration with the state of the standing army, and it's inability to march or drill properly.

I kinda got a chuckle about civilians not wanting to like the the govt, don't know about that

I am certainly no authority though!

Great find on the article.

**DWFII** · 24th July 09, 05:42 PM

Shoes thread

**Bigkahuna** · 24th July 09, 05:58 PM

Originally Posted by Dall_Piobaire

I dunno, I think I would look to our own Cajunscot for that!

They start off by saying hay foot straw foot was civil war, or at least that was the title, But I am realatively sure that came from Von Steuben's frustration with the state of the standing army, and it's inability to march or drill properly.

I kinda got a chuckle about civilians not wanting to like the the govt, don't know about that

I am certainly no authority though!

Great find on the article.

I thought it humorous that Von Steuben had to get an American officer to swear at the new recruits for him,as he was drilling them.

**Dall_Piobaire** · 24th July 09, 06:16 PM

You know, it is amusing, can you imagine the sight!

At the same time you know, can you imagine what it must have been like. They, for the most part, volunteered to stay, farmers, shop keepers, etc. I think most know that the musket, as a firearm, was secondary to the bayonet, and the British army was the best in the world with the bayonet. I have read accunts of the blood running out of the touchholes of the muskets, the hand to hand being so intense. Then, if you did get hit with one of those balls, not pretty at all.

I get a kick out of the movies that show the exploding cannon balls, but what is even more "amusing" if you can call it that, is that they would retrieve the ball and fire em back!

To stand shoulder to shoulder, rank upon rank, while an overwhelming force, a superior force comes at you with bayonets fixed, knowing that they are waiting to gut you like a fish. My great, great ....grandfather was in it, the whole time, he survived it, obviously, but I can't imagine it.

Sorry, off topic, just felt like rambling