Right, so first things first, finding decent repro stuff can be a total crapshoot. You gotta sift through a lotta… well, let’s just say “less-than-stellar” merchandise. I mean, some stuff looks like it was made outta cardboard and held together with hopes and dreams. Don’t fall for *that*!
From what I can gather from these snippets of info, there’s a few paths you could take. We got:
* The “Straight from the Source-ish” Option: Rudra Universal sounds like they mostly do uniforms, and they’re based outta India, so maybe not the ideal place for getting *American* boots, ya know? Unless you’re going for a super historically inaccurate, “what if” scenario, then go for it. More power to ya.
* The “History Buff’s Heaven” Option: History Bunker Ltd… seems legit. They’re based in the UK and focus on reproduction uniforms and gear. They say they do WW1 British stuff, but it *might* be worth checking if they also carry American stuff, or at least know where to point you. They seem pretty serious about their historical accuracy, which is always a good sign.
* The “Everything But the Kitchen Sink” Option: Epic Militaria. This sounds like your general military surplus kinda place. 5,000 items?! Jeez. They might have something, but be warned: with that much inventory, the quality could be all over the place. Do your research, read reviews, and *don’t* just trust the pictures.
* The “Holy Grail” Option: William Lennon B5 Boots. Okay, the blurb specifically mentions *reproduction* B5 combat boots and says they’re “top of the line.” This is probably your best bet for a really high-quality repro. I’d look into *them* specifically. But seriously, excellent quality and physically identical to originals, it’s a no-brainer.
* The “Pipe Dream” Option: “Original U.S. WWI Unissued M1917.” Okay, if you stumble across a *genuine*, unissued pair of WWI trench boots, BUY THEM IMMEDIATELY. Like, don’t even think, just swipe that credit card. But let’s be real, finding those is like finding a unicorn riding a rollercoaster. Good luck with that.
* The “Hollywood Special” Option: The “WWI Reproductions and Props” place. This sounds like it’s geared towards movie folks and reenactors, which means they *should* be pretty decent when it comes to accuracy. But be warned, “props” can sometimes mean “looks good from a distance but falls apart when you touch it.” Gotta do your due diligence.
My overall thoughts?
I’d say start with William Lennon B5 Boots if you want something that’ll actually last. Then poke around History Bunker Ltd and the prop place to see if they have any other options. Epic Militaria… tread carefully.
Oh, and a final thought: always, *always* ask about the materials used. Are they using real leather? What kind of stitching? How close are they to the original specs? Don’t be afraid to be a pain in the butt – it’s *your* money, and you deserve to know what you’re getting.
