When did the distinction between right and left shoes or boots become common?

I seem to recall reading somewhere that during the (American) Civil War period boots (and footwear in general) were made the same for both feet. In which case, at least when new, it wouldn’t matter which shoe/boot you wore on which foot. It would certainly simplify keeping an inventory of footwear for soldiers if the only differential were length and not LEFT/RIGHT as well.

Right around the 1850s, especially since shoes were being manufactured in bulk, as opposed to individual manufacture by a shoemaker.

Bridget Sandals – Handmade Treats for the Feet – on Voyage.tv

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