Help with vintage work boots/shoes

My wife and I like to explore abandoned mining camps around Silverton, Colorado. We found a few pair of old old boots/shoes near a mine that operated in the 1870s to 1890s. We thought we would play "archiologist" and recover the shoes and attempt to preserve them. Some look to me like they might be early 1900s but some look really really old, like they would be closer to the 1870s. Does anyone on here know enough about this to give an opinon on age (if so I'll post pics) or have any idea of a forum or site with such info. Thanks

Probably 1890s if that's when the mine closed. As for precise dating, that would probably be difficult.

Also, pics of these would be awesome. And lexol or the like is the best way to restore them, I would think.

You could contact the author of "Jeans of the Old West"...he's Sansome1877 on SuFu. Pics please!!!