| Firemen’s knee boots were used in WWII in firefighting and
damage control flooding operations. The top of the boot was made
from leather and reinforced asbestos fibers for strength. The
sole was fabricated in layers of cotton, asbestos and steel. The
bottom of the sole was corrugated cotton-asbestos, with non-slip
heels. The inner thickness of the layer of cotton-asbestos was
increased in the front to protect the shin. The boot was 13
inches high and came in various sizes. A loop on each side aided
in putting on the boot. In 1949, type commanders authorized for
two to nine pairs of the rubber hip boot to be issued to repair
lockers. |
