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Bootstraps is the correct term. Their presence doesn't create a "style" of boots, they're just an accessory. The dual loops on either side of the shaft are fairly unique to western riding boots (most work boots have one at the back of the shaft), but not all cowboy boots have them.
19th century style boots are a lot different than what we see today. They were all mostly square toe, calf high and designed for pants to go inside them. They also had pegged leather soles and many had hob nails if the owner spent a lot of time in the saddle.
Todays style with pointed toes, shorter uppers and designed to be covered by pants weren't around back in 1873. We also have jeans today that are called "boot cut" that weren't around elsewhen. Pants back then were mostly made of wool and were made to go inside the wearers boots. Narrow at the lower leg.
The lace up style of cowboy boot is the newest kid on the block. People in the old days who didn't wear pull on boots wore what was called a brogan which were only ankle high and had laces. These were what was issued to infantrymen in the Army while cavalry wore the calf high pull on boots.
Boots back then were made for riding. First last and only. Today we have "cowboy" boots that are for dress only. Many styles of boots and material used to make them are just for show. My personal boots are 1874 style cavalry boots. From MO Boot and Shoe co. They are the best riding boots I've ever had and I've had a few, but they do suck to do a lot of walking in.
AFAIK those are called boot straps. The biggest difference in cowboy boots are if it has a riding heel or walking (aka roper ) heel (and there are two styles western/classic or roper which refers to the height of the boot. Tips can be rounded, squared or pointed but that’s a preference. There are many heels out today all with different purposes.
Here’s all you wanna know about boots
OP here. I know they're boot straps. I am NOT talking about the rounded loops that you just pull on of put your finger through to pull up.
I was watching an episode of an old TV show, "Have Gun will Travel." And a character on the show had boots that had long dangling boot straps outside the boot dangling down from the top....like a rabbit's ears flapping downward. In the show it was a jackboot or cavalry style of boot. But I believe I've seen the dangling style pulls on some Native American boots as well. NOT cowboy boots however.
Well,, the main character, Palladin, was trying to describe the other man's possessions and asked about the boots the man wore. I didn't catch exactly what he said. But I THOUGHT, he' asked, "did the man have boots with "rabbit ear boot straps?" I haven't been able to find any boot photos using that term. I thought I'd ask here in case someone knew about them, and whether that's phrase used to describe that style of boot strap.
I don't know how to add pictures but I found the episode, the boots are on screen are at 2:16 into video. And he calls them "rabbit ear pulls" at about 6:50.
OP here. I know they're boot straps. I am NOT talking about the rounded loops that you just pull on of put your finger through to pull up.
I was watching an episode of an old TV show, "Have Gun will Travel." And a character on the show had boots that had long dangling boot straps outside the boot dangling down from the top....like a rabbit's ears flapping downward. In the show it was a jackboot or cavalry style of boot. But I believe I've seen the dangling style pulls on some Native American boots as well. NOT cowboy boots however.
Well,, the main character, Palladin, was trying to describe the other man's possessions and asked about the boots the man wore. I didn't catch exactly what he said. But I THOUGHT, he' asked, "did the man have boots with "rabbit ear boot straps?" I haven't been able to find any boot photos using that term. I thought I'd ask here in case someone knew about them, and whether that's phrase used to describe that style of boot strap.
I don't know how to add pictures but I found the episode, the boots are on screen are at 2:16 into video. And he calls them "rabbit ear pulls" at about 6:50.
Those are mule ears. I've never heard them referred to as "rabbit ears" although I guess that name fits as well.
They don't define the style of boot, though. It's just an accessory that can be added to any style of boot.
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