US Marine Corps Men's Shoes

Shoes, Low Quarter

Side view of the USMC low quarter shoes.
 
Quick Reference Guide
Description & Use Important Dates Procuring Stations
& Contract Dates 		Common Manufacturers
An open laced, blucher pattern low quarter shoe with a lined toe box, Goodyear welt, and rubber heel. This shoe was intended for garrison use with officer and enlisted men's service uniforms.

ENLISTED MEN: Worn with the Winter & Summer Service Uniforms.

OFFICERS: Worn with the Winter & Summer Service Uniforms. 		Adopted: 1942. Centralized procurement accomplished through The Quartermaster General of the Marine Corps, U.S.M.C. Washington, D.C.

Contract dates range from approximately
1942 to July 1945. 		International Shoe Co.
at various plant locations.
Distinctive Features
 Fabrics & Fasteners Labeling Types & Variants
  • Exposed rear heel seam.
  • Plain toe.
  • USMC inspector punch marks on insole and outsole.
Fabrics:
  • Uppers - grain side out leather fully polished and finished (colors range from dark cordovan to russet).
  • Insoles - full leather.
  • Outsoles - full leather.

Fasteners:
  • Laces 28 1/2 to 30-inches strung through 6 pairs of eyelets.
Contractor Label: Ink stamped on the left side of the heel seat.

Size Label: Punched into the insoles and outsoles. Also included in the contractor label. 		None confirmed at this time.
Integral Garments
& Equipment 		Insignia Lineage Inter-Service Use
& Equivalents
The following USMC socks:

  • Socks, Cotton, Mercerized Tan.
  • Socks, Wool.
Not applicable. Preceded By:
Shoes, Leather later renamed to Shoes, Garrison after the appearance of the low quarter shoe. This was the pre-war high-top model for the enlisted man.

Superseded By:
Black low quarter shoes circa late 1950's early 1960's. 		The USMC low quarter shoes appears to have followed the same pattern as the US Army equivalent.

US Army Equivalent:
Shoes, Low Quarter, Tan
(Specifications BQD 55, 55A, 55B).

US Navy Equivalents:
Shoes, Low Brown
&
Shoes, Low Black
(Specification 72-S-1E).
Allowances & Purchases Theaters & Campaigns Comments References
& Further Reading
ENLISTED MEN:
Basic Allowance (1942-45):

OFFICERS:
Mandatory Purchase: 1 pair of Shoes, High Brown or Shoes, Low Brown. 		Confirmed:
  • Issued to the First Marine Division during occupation of Northern China (1945-47).
  • Low quarter shoes first appeared in USMC clothing lists in 1942, which was around the same time the similar US Army type appeared (Specification BQD 55 dated 1 Dec. 1941). Most examples of USMC low quarter shoes that survive today were contracted in 1945 with earlier examples being difficult to locate. It is acknowledged, however, that WWII issue brown low quarter shoes from all the branches of service are much scarcer than other types of high-top service shoes.
  • The availability of low brown shoes was limited during the War with shoe production mainly focused on field shoe types. Shortages were noted. For example, the Navy formally addressed this issue in the spring of 1945 by approving black shoes in lieu of brown for wear with the Aviation Green Uniform.
  • A specific approved color for the USMC's low quarter shoe adopted in 1942 is unknown due to the lack of any official period document specifically naming such a color. Prior to the general adoption of the low quarter shoe, the 1937 USMC uniform regulations stated that acceptable colors for the officer' high and low brown shoes were dark russet, dark-brown mahogany, or cordovan.
  • Surviving low quarter shoes seem to fall within what was stated in the 1937 uniform regulations for officer's brown shoes with colors ranging from dark cordovan to russet shade. This is in line with the color range observed for the enlisted man's pre-war high-top service shoe as well.
  • Surviving examples show that some low quarter shoes were polished over with cordovan shoe polish while others can be found polished over in black.
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