This remarkable article of clothing from the mid 19th century is a set of officer's high quality black leather 'leggings" or often called 'false boots'. Each of the two, individual 'leggings' is constructed from fine grade bridle leather, tanned black on the exterior and lined with soft tan leather on the inside. When worn over the trousers, these large-size 'riding leggings' or false boots covered the legs from ankle to knee and provided protection to the wearer's legs in inclement weather and while mounted on his horse. Each of these step-in leggings is slightly tapered and measures 21" long, 61/2" wide at the top, 8" wide at the mid section, 7" wide at the ankle. Each ankle area and has a small bottom flare-out for the wearer's boots. Both leggings or 'boots' are not equipped with a bottom heel strap or a leather loop strap at the upper end.

Both leg leathers are in very excellent, remarkable original condition with a surface that is free of any cracking, crazing or flaking but they do show small areas of creasing and scuffing at the ankles, as expected. The top edge of one 'boot' also has a small ½" long tear at the upper edge. No visible maker's mark or stampings are seen on the interior or exterior of each legging but they both exhibit a finely embossed five-point star stamping centered on the face of the 'boot' 5" down from the top front edge. There is also scalloped decorative embossed edging adjacent to both ankle areas. A false embossed boot strap stamping is visible on the exterior of each legging. This original and seldom seen pair of fine quality black bridle leather 'leggings' of 'false boots' would make a wonderful addition to any Civil War cloth collection or officer's personal display.