Brown Corcoran Jump Boots (WWII Style)

[Tobus]

I bought these to wear with trousers, but I think they make fantastic kilt boots. In a contemporary kilt outfit, anyway. These are Corcoran's 10" historic brown jump boots, made the same as in WWII. They are made on the "Garrison Army Munson" last, which is about the most comfortable last that I've found for boots. After breaking them in, they are like old friends to my feet.

I was not too thrilled with the original colour. It was a sort of purple-brown. So I took rubbing alcohol on cotton balls and rubbed the original glaze off the leather. I went a little too far in a couple of places, taking some of the colour out. But it gives them a worn look. Then I did several applications of mink oil, followed by Neatsfoot oil to soften and darken the leather. Finally I did a few coats of Kiwi brown parade gloss wax, then wore them a few times and waxed them again.

The sides of the soles came with brown edge-coating which I thought was cheesy. So I took that off with alcohol too, and applied black edge-coat, followed by black Kiwi wax.

Finally, they look like I want. In normal light or shade, they are a nice dark brown. In the sun, they are a rich brown. I will wear them plain, or with my WWII canvas leggings, as shown below.

I love cap-toe boots anyway, but these are a great style. The plain soles (no tread) keep them from going overboard with the "combat boot" look.

What do you think? Good kilt boot for contemporary wear? Or too much?