I have Vogel Custom Field boots and Dehner dress boots both custom made in my 20’s. The cost of having zippers added and having them gusseted and let out was around the $450.00 mark per pair. So for less money I have a lovely pair of Deniro’s that are semi custom and fit my older self perfectly and a pair of Ariat vsports for daily wear. The two pairs of full customs look lovely by the fireplace.
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I have some gorgeous custom Dehners too that do not even begin to fit. Even if I lost 50 pounds and became stick thin they would not fit. I checked with Dehner and I believe they said they won’t work on boots that old. Even though the leather looks pristine. Huge bummer! I can take them out of the box and caress them but there is no wearing them at all. I am going to invest in new tall boots even though they will never be as beautiful as my Dehners.
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You’d be surprised. I am 21" from knee to floor and I wear stock boots (Ariat.) This was NOT the story of my life as a junior, where like you I saved my pennies to buy my very first custom pair, but the zipper prevents boots from dropping as much as they used to, and brands have recognized that people come in different shapes and that there are geometries of body that need both a tall height AND a wide calf.
Do check with your local cobbler to see if stretching is possible, but from what you say about your feet, you may be more comfortable in different footbed anyway.
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The Ariat footbed is indeed very comfortable.
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I have a 20+ year old pair of Effingham semicustom boots with zippers. It took a few more years .for zippers to get popular. Mine needed replacement, the question was where. A COTHer posted about the Concord Shoe Repair shop in Concord, Mass. That’s where the Dover store in New Hampshire sends everyone. This is your typical ofd-fashioned shop. No website. I’m not sure how they are handling shipping. I was able to drop mine off when I was in the general vicinity. I had a choice of zippers and he said he can add or take away a litle bit on the calf. .When I picked them up I was amazed. They looked much better than when they were new. It might be worth a call: (978) 371-0713
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Have you contacted Dehner?
What do you stand to lose by asking?
If they say ‘No’ you might cry and sob to them and get a discount on a new custom pair. You might not, but again what would be your loss?
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Ooooooo. A discount. Thanks for the idea!
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Effingham is no more. The owner died and the company (Bond Boot Co was purchased by their master bootmaker moved 10 miles and rebranded All American Boot company. The owner probably made your boots the first time.
One problem (mentioned above) is that you dont know if the foot of the boot fits you any more. It would be a shame to go to the effort to stretch and/or add zippers only to find the foot doesnt fit!
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Update, for those breathlessly awaiting. The guy I call The Boot Whisperer stretched them for 10 days and that wasn’t enough, so he resorted to major surgery: an elastic gusset. It’s a nice fit now and I sure do appreciate the man’s expertise, but for the love of God, I’m so set on zippers for the next pair. You guys finally got through to me. Life is too short to deal with boot hooks and jacks.
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Welcome to the dark side! It’s a lot more comfortable, and a lot easier to DIY. Sometimes change is good — even in the horse world. 
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