Code: B27420
Size 7. Essentially this is the prototype of the 1943 pattern boot. Designed by the MI9 escape and evasion 'master', Christopher Clayton Hutton and produced under private contract on the order of Lord Nuffield. Like the later 1943 pattern boot they feature a standard black leather shoe section with a leather upper that could be removed using a small knife should the wearer need to evade capture, thus leaving a stout shoe suitable for walking, and less conspicuous than boots. In prototype boots the upper was manufactured in sheepskin lined chromed leather rather than suede. First pattern prototype Nuffield boots feature a front zip fastener but this second pattern, introduced on slightly later boots, have the more familiar fully opening off-set zip and buckled strap of the 1943 escape boot. The leather is in very good overall condition showing just normal use and wear. There is a minor seam split a the back of the right shoe section as shown but this really doesn't detract. The brass 'Lightning' zips are in good working condition and the sheepskin linings are generally fairly good, with just a few small areas of moulting/loss. No insoles fitted. With replacement rubber heelcaps and soles. Very good straps/buckles. These boots were never allocated a reference number and as such they have no official markings. Nuffield boots were only in production for about a year and not produced in large numbers. Extremely rare to find, this is the first 2nd pattern pair we have had to offer in 8 years. Stock code B27420.
