Corcoran 10" Jump Boots?

[Kevin G]

Anyone have any experience w/present day production Corcoran 10" Jump boots?
A buddy gave me his old stack of NRA "American Rifleman" magazines, some from the late 40's early 50's show ads for these boots for the princely sum of $11.
Got me to thinking, a little search activity and found several on-line sources selling new production made by Corcoran for $165-$200 range for boots in brown.
Tks, Kevin G

 

[gm272gs]

They have always made good boots. With today's technology though, there are a lot of boots out there that require no break-in, and are more comfortable to walk in.

If you want something that's close to period-correct (for WWII) I guess these would fit the bill, for a re-enactment sort of thing.

 

[pumpgun]

no but i have my 1984 vintage corks in my footlocker all shined and ready to go. i think i paid $40 back then at the BX on Lackland AFB which was pretty pricey for an e4. my boys keep wanting to wear them but no dice.

 

[eveled]

Currently, I have 2 pairs of Corcorans, 1 pair of Bates . I buy the ones with the zippers up the side in Black. Work will buy me a new pair of boots every year, so I buy a nice expensive pair.

What I have learned about the differences. The Corcorans are all glossy, the Bates are just glossy at the toe and heel. The Corcorans with the smooth sole are great, (they shine up nice, and I have worn them instead of dress shoes with a suit), but I don't like Corcoran's vibram type sole it marks the kitchen floor, and is a little too agressive.

The Bates with the vibram sole is non marking and just a little less agressive.

Both company's make a comfortable boot, that I can spend all day on my feet, with ease.

The zipper is cut into the boot a little different in the Corcorans making the Corcorans easier to put on. Both company's use really good quality zippers and I have never had a problem with the zippers on any of them. {knock on wood}. I spray the zippers with silicone spray once in a while if they are sticking.

The best place to find them is a cop uniform supply store, there used to be a good place called Copshoes.com, but I can't find them anymore online, but there are others. Ed.

 

[ChuckS1]

Wow, instant flashbacks to wet cotton balls and melted Lincoln shoe polish going on right now. I don't know how many hours I spent in front of the TV getting the toes and heels to a deep, mirror shine. That and starched fatigues with creases so sharp they'd cut you.

 

[therevjay]

Wow, instant flashbacks to wet cotton balls and melted Lincoln shoe polish going on right now. I don't know how many hours I spent in front of the TV getting the toes and heels to a deep, mirror shine. That and starched fatigues with creases so sharp they'd cut you.

And walking stiff legged to where the O.D. was holding guard mount. (so you wouldn't break the creases) I found a old "T" shirt to work better then cotton balls.

 

[vonn]

When I was stateside they were almost required( 82d Airborne).No one wore issue type boots except to the field ,and most guys had them half soled and heeled when new. Don't remember the price but they were not cheap. Spent many hours shining those boots sitting in the barracks at Ft.Bragg.

 

[Vulcan Bob]

Last I heard Cove Shoe Co. in Martinsburg PA was making them. My wife used to work there about fifteen years ago. They have an outlet store on site and they made a few runs of brown Corcoran jump boots, as I was doing WWII reenactments as a 501 PIR trooper I bought several pairs and still have a set new in box. As I never wore a pair of the older Corcoran's I cannot compare them to the new but once broken in they were comfortable but cold boots in the snow.

 

[Donn]

Still have one pair of Corks from my Army days, (69-71). Wore them Stateside on duty, (MP). Paid for them myself, thought they were better quality than issue KP boots. They looked a lot better too.

 

[gm272gs]

L.A. Police Gear has them (i think only in black) for $109.
That's the least expensive I have seen anywhere.

 

[Dennis The B]

When I was on active duty, serving in the Seabees, we were issued standard steel-toed, oil-treated boots, which absolutely wouldn't shine. I was reassigned to a PR staff, and had all my uniforms tailored and fitted. I went across the road from the base, to the Army/Navy store, and bought two pairs of Corcorans. They took spit shine like a duck to water. I believe they were built on the old Munson last. They were really comfortable, and broke in in about ten minutes.

I used Kiwi black and neutral to get the shine close. Then a cotton ball and liquid Glocoat wax gave them that deep shine, and no haze. Heels and toes were easy, but it took more effort for the rest of the uppers.

I'm in the process of ordering a pair of the brown ones now. I only paid $10/pair in 1969, and now they run a bit over &160.

Great boots.

 

[safearm]

When I retired, I still had a set of Corcoran jump boots (all leather) and was on my third set of Corcoran Field Boots (cordura uppers with leather top cap and heels). While the jump boots were great for show, the field boots were without question the most comfortable boot I wore in all of my service (28 years).

 

[USAF385]

I have two pairs of Corcoran Marauders that have held up great considering how much I abuse them. Not pretty anymore but these boots are put through a lot.

(Sent via iPhone)

 

[Kinman]

I've had bad feet all my life and once issued a pair of '69 vintage US Army boots I couldn't wait to get into an optional "better" boot. The only option at the time was Corc's, they were a bit spendy but worth every penny when it came to comfort on your feet, particularly in the arch area. Being basically lazy I liked the way the toebox and heel counter on Corks just took a hit with a brush in the morning even if just kept well oiled. I remember some dudes used to press the little balls from a dog tag chain into the beads around the toebox, some guys just gotta be different.

 

[Coldshooter]

My OIC was the only jump qualified guy in the unit and he always got real hot when anyone else wore "jump" boots. I understand the spit shine is not good as it shows up on NVG equipment more than other finishes. Best boots I had while in the army were the Danner mountain boots from clothing sales in 1977.

 

[Harrison]

My last pair of Corcoran jump boot were done in during the monsoon, Korea, 1980. Two months in the field in the mud and rain, and being constantly wet, and they just about dissolved. The soles came loose from the uppers and some of the upper stitching gave out. When we finally got out of the field they were held together with green 100mph tape. The jump boots are good garrison/parade boots, and OK in the field as long as they stayed dry. I found Danner boots to be better rough wear field boots.