M1851 Pattern Brogan

Description

Our brogans are made of high-quality, and pliable, leather, pegged soles and available in sizes 3 to 15-1/2, in both standard and wide widths. Heel plates can be installed for $10.95. These brogans are the perfect footwear for daily wear (but please remember to take care of them with our leather products)!

The term ‘brogan’ is derived from English “Brogue”, a rugged shoe that almost covered the ankle as opposed to a shoe which was lower and a boot which was longer. Brogan is now generally applied to any heavy, ankle high shoe typically worn by a civil war soldier. The standard model that was available was the M1851 Jefferson, named after Thomas Jefferson who, at his inauguration in 1801, wore laced-up shoes (one of the first ‘fads’ for America) in support of the French Republic. This set a fashion. All laced shoes were soon called “Jefferson Shoes until the 1880s. The civil war brogan was a square-toed model, with four eyelets and leather laces. During the 1860s brogans were interchangeable (called straight lasts); however, our shoes our sized for the left and right foot. 95% of all brogans delivered by the Allegheny Arsenal (of over 1 million pairs) were sewn, as pegged brogans were considered sub-standard by the government.

As per the Army Uniform Regulations of 1861 (rarely observed by the rank and file):

• 1497 – For all officers – Ankle or Jefferson Boots
• 1498 – For enlisted men of Cavalry and Light Artillery – Ankle or Jefferson Boots, rights and lefts, according to pattern
• 1499 – For enlisted men of Artillery, Infantry, Engineers and Ordnance – Jefferson Boots, rights and lefts, according to pattern