WWII era A.I.F. Victory Boot - number one

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c. 1940

Overview

Miniature Australian military leather boot containing a knitted sock. This particular boot appears to have been refurbished. The soles have been replaced. Some of the original pins (the heads representing cleats) have been re-used but there are only eight of them versus 12 on the original sole. The leather laces also appear to be a replacement, being grey in colour rather than brown. The damaged tag has also been stuck back together.
Despite these shortcomings, it is a representative piece.
A second boot in original condition is also in the collection.

Historical information

According to the Australian War Memorial, The AIF Victory Boot was a novelty match holder available from about March 1940, originally containing wax vesta matches. The original boot had a panel glued to the base which was a striker panel, meant for striking matches.

It sold for between 1/6d and 2 shillings. The boots were sold singly in capital city department stores and larger stores in regional areas.
Stores marketed them in a number of ways. One in Queensland thought they would be a novelty that could be included in a soldier’s kitbag, while Farmer Bros in Sydney said 'this novelty match holder [is] lots of fun…but it's a graceful way of signifying your loyalty to King and Country'.

Details

Registration number

cwa-org-119-RoW00084

Item type

Collectibles

Ephemera

Souvenirs

Themes

War and Conflict
War and Conflict > World War 2

Material

Leather

Metal