France, Germany and other leading EU nations would never allow Britain a pick and mix approach to the bloc's rules. Norway and Switzerland have to abide by many EU rules without any influence over how they are formed.
The toe of the Concord is a little more round than the Franklin's, bringing the style closer to the shoes found at Ft. Ligonier. We took the pattern for the Franklin uppers and formed them over a last taken from an 1860's military shoe. The Concord is available in rough or smooth finish.
Sandals were the most common footwear in most early civilizations, however, a few early cultures had shoes. In Mesopotamia, (c. 1600-1200 BC) a type of soft shoes were worn by the mountain people who lived on the border of Iran. The soft shoe was made of wraparound leather, similar to a moccasin. As late as 1850 most shoes were made on absolutely straight lasts, with no difference between the right and the left shoe.