STEEL cap boots would have to be the most reliable pair of footwear out there for those working with heavy machinery.

But could they withstand a bullet?

A Facebook post, which has gone viral, appears to show the graphic images of a person in an unfortunate situation, after what looks like a bullet has gone through a steel cap boot.

The Facebook page where it was posted, When Men Were Men Platinum, captioned the photos: "Well steel cap boots can't stop a .45. Idiots."

The images went viral and have been shared more than 10,000 times, with over 3000 comments.

The Gladstone Observer has contacted the Facebook page for the source.

The page dedicates its posts to "point out the definite lack of manliness in the modern male, and attempt to restore it" as per the About section on its profile.

The health condition of the person in the photo is unknown at this stage.

A Google image search shows the image has been doing the rounds for years.