These are a pair of military boots that rejoiced in the title ‘Boots Ski/March’ since you were supposed to be able to do both in them, the squared toes being designed to fit into ski bindings. Either way they gave the wearer blisters and were not very popular as a result. The various numbers on the sole refer to a design code and probably a government contract code with the ‘1983’ bit the most likely date of manufacture. The ‘skeesol’ bit refers to the rubber sole which was made by the ITSHIDE Rubber Company down in Petersfield, Hampshire. They had lots of dealings with the Ministry of Defence, having supplied them with thousands of commando soles for the Korean War in the 1950’s. It does look like they made the boot as well, but we are not sure about that. The Hampshire County Record Office have a document entitled ‘It’s Rubber Ltd – 58 years on’ which might tell us more. Mick Tighe bought this pair as part of a job lot from a governmment surplus store.