Apache Moccasins, Cactus kickers

[chicheman]

Hello,

I would like to ask about the cactus kickers,as I think this is called, at Apache Moccasins. I noticed that these were usually seen at Chiricahua, Warms Springs and White Mountain Moccasins. But I noticed that on some old photos it looks like this was not always the case, with some Western Apache people, so I´m not sure cactus kickers were part of all Mocs in general ? On the famous photo of Geronimo, that shows him kneeling and holding a rifle in his hand,it appeared to me as well, as there would not be a cactus kicker to be seen. Maybe it is just not well to be seen on that old photo. Navajo seem not to have used cactus kickers and of course we know that Mescalero, Jicarilla and Lipan wore the ankle high moccasins without kickers, more looking like Plains Mocs, other than Nde like Chiricahua and Western groups who wore knee length Mocs.
Thanks for your comments in advance, this was something that I noticed several times and I thought to ask our experts here.
Best from Germany

chicheman

[marinajr]

I am Chiricahua Apache, was born and raised in Mescalero, NM. I assume the "cactus kicker" you are referring to is what we call the "toe guard". It is specific to Chiricahua style moccasins. The Mescalero's and other bands do not put a toe guard on their moccasins. I am no "expert" but maybe this answers your question