German leather leggings

[Peter Bauer]

Let's start with a photo.



We all know this photo. It's quite famous. But have you taken a look at their legs? Some of them use leather gaiters.

I have a pair of 1940 german made leather gaiters, but have been unable to find *any* info of them anywhere. Would any of you know..?

I can take photos of mine tomorrow or so.

[Heeresbergführer]

Grüß Gott Herr Bauer,

The Soldaten in the photograph are not wearing leather leggings, but black leather buckled boots, or Schnallenstiefel which were introduced in 1933. These came in two patterns...marching boots and riding boots.

The lower part of the Schnallenstiefel is made as a lace-up shoe with 7 pairs of eyelets. The upper portion is sewn on stiff leggings (31-38 cm in height), parted on the outside with the front part put over the rear part, and strapped by three leather straps and three black metal buckles.

Horrido!
Patrick

[Peter Bauer]

Great! A answer! I've posting this question all over the internet for ages

Never even heard of such boots, this is quite interesting! But this raises another question, what are the leggings I have? They seem to be german and they are both made in the early 40's (they are both from different pairs). Any info on these? Or photos of the Schnallenstiefel?

[Heeresbergführer]

Servus Paul,

Can you post some photos of your leggings? I should be able to identify them.

Horrido!
PK

[Peter Bauer]

They are like this. They have hooks on the bottom and leather strap on the top, they close on the front rather than on the back. Other one has a stamp "1942", but I think this might have been added later. There is no other markings anywhere.

[jan]

These look for me like Belgian Gendarmerie leather gaiters, this model was in use from before world war one until the early sixty's.

[Brigardefuhrer]

I think the german police used them as well.

[Peter Bauer]

It could be that these are similar style to the Belgian ones and might have been used by the Germans.

But I don't know anything else about these, I received them along with other original ww2 german militaria I bought from germany. The seller didn't know anything about them either.

[missyd]

The italian army had the same ....

[Feldjager]

Some early German police photos (usually between 33 and 38) show these being worn. I have original brown and black versions with markings in them. I think I have a few photos from the pre-Third Reich period where they are being worn - I'll see if I can find them.

The only military use I know I have a photo of is by the Feldgendarmerie, however they are still wearing their rurual Gendarmerie uniforms, so it could be a transitional usage.

Dave

[Pug42]

Is there anything you don't have Dave?

[Feldjager]

Is there anything you don't have Dave?

Cash...

[Sheikh Al Stranghi]

They look like Dutch leggings as well.

[Feldjager]

I know the same style was used by the Dutch police as well. I think they are a European thing used by a variety of different people!

[Peter Bauer]

Damn us europeans!