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Ranger boots are a type of combat boot that come with the shaft fastened with buckles first introduced in the 1940s when U.S. Army Rangers were first known to have worn them hence the name. This type of boot has also became popular in various European countries, particular Eastern Europe and the warsaw pact/former Soviet Union states. NATO France Combat boots of the French Army are nicknamed "Rangers" because of their similarity to the M-43 American model. Since the end of the world war 2, three models have been manufactured. The first model was based on the 1952 combat ankle-boots on which a leather high-top cuff with two buckle was added. It was made of sturdy but very stiff brown coloured cowhide leather. It was called "brodequin à jambière attenante Mle 1952" and was widely distributed from 1956 on, in priority to airborne troops engaged in Algeria. In 1961, a simplified version was introduced, the boot and the leather cuff being made in one piece. In 1965 a new version of the 1961 model was introduced made of shined black grained leather more flexible than the original one. Their soles were of a direct molded type. In 1986 a transitory model with laces to the top and enhanced waterproofing was experimented under the designation "combat boots model F 2" but was not adopted. The two first models had to be blackened with coloured grease and shoe polish. They were issued to French soldiers including Foreign legionnaires until the beginning of the 90s and then were kept in store in case of conflict. A lot of them have been released on the market after the gendarmerie dropped the territorial defense mission at the beginning of the 21st Century. A winter model, with laces to the top and a Gore-tex lining was introduced in 1998. The third and winter model are still in service in the French army but are progressively replaced in operation by more modern Meindl type boots. Italy Italy has issued anfibi escecito italiano in various patterns. Spain Spain has issued triple buckled boots manufactured by Segarra. United States The first true modern combat boots in the U.S. Army, officially called the "Boots, Combat Service," were introduced in conjunction with the M-1943 Uniform Ensemble during World War II. They were modified service shoes, with an extended, rough-out or, more commonly, a smooth leather high-top cuff added. These "double buckle" boots were worn through the Korean War as a substitute for the Boots, Russet, Leather Lace Up introduced in 1948. The first type of Combat Boots, or Combat Tropical boots were based on the "buckle boot" design in brown leather and green canvas and worn during the early parts of the Vietnam War. Warsaw pact/Former Soviet Union Czechoslovakia Czechoslovakia has issued combat boots in black and brown leather for officers until the issue of M95 camouflage boots when the country became the Czech Republic. Hungary The Hungarian army are issued M65 surranó type combat boots that have soles intended to accommodate skis. Poland Poland had issued this type of combat boot until the 1990s.
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