M37 gaiters – Fa. Otte 1944
Eversince 1937, Soldiers in the German army received a pair of Schnürschuhe (lowboots) next to their issue pair of Knobelbecher(Jackboots). They where first only meant as a part of the Drillichanzug(a offwhite uniform for basic training made of linen HBT) but as the war progressed the Schnürschuhe saw action on the front. They where meant to be worn with Gamaschen(Gaiters) to overlap the boots with the trousers.
Markings: Fa. H. Otte ‘s-Hertogenbosch 1944
Maker: Fa. H. Otte, ‘s-Hertogenbosch (The Netherlands)
Year: 1944
Material: Canvas and leather
Notes: This model, bordered with leather on the bottom is said to be pre/early war only but this is not true, as this 1944 dated pair shows. The canvas and leather is typical as used on Dutch prewar equipment. The rough Veldgrijs canvas is commonly seen on Dutch combat equipment. Also the Chrome died leather parts ( the leather loops for the straps and the border on the bottom) are a commonly seen material.
