History

The headgear, uniforms, and insignia worn by members of the Kriegsmarine were based upon the designs utilized by the Kaiserliche Marine and the Reichsmarine. The official regulations governing the uniforms of the Reichsmarine were issued on April 5, 1921, and they were embraced, with a few alterations, as the Kriegsmarine uniforms in 1935.

From 1933-1945, the uniforms worn by personnel in the German Navy were produced and disseminated by the Navy Clothing Depot and private manufacturers.

The Kriegsmarine utilized general categories of footwear, including marching boots, lace-up shoes, canvas shoes, and riding boots.

The riding boots (Reitstiefel) were worn by Officers, Junior Officer Candidates, and Senior Non-Commissioned Officers along with breeches.

These Kriegsmarine riding boots were very different from the Heer riding boots, whereas Kriegsmarine riding boots utilized an undocumented design similar to civilian riding boots rather than use the heavy design of the Heer riding boots. Instead, these riding boots utilized the general design of the Kriegsmarine marching boots, but added spurs (Sporen) below the ankles and approximately 80-120mm of height to the legs. These boots are also identical in style and manufacture to the Kriegsmarine high boots (hohe Stiefel).

The riding boots are composed of leather and, when present, the spurs were composed of nickel-plated materials, and the spur holder straps (Sporenhalter) were made from leather and nickel-plated metal for the buckles.

Kriegsmarine Officers were only allowed to wear spurs on the riding boots if they held the rank of Kapitänleutnant or higher.

The Wehrmacht footwear continued to be worn by personnel after the end of the Second World War, thus Kriegsmarine footwear examples are rare and usually show signs of wear.