Vintage Dress shoe appreciation, tips, maintenance and advice

[friendlygoz]

Paging @friendlygoz . Feels like you could do a great job restoring this pair.

Thanks for the heads up. I think these are Canadian-made based on the foot bed and sizing code. I’m set on long wings right now.

 

[friendlygoz]

AE Barlett today….

 

[Vincent George]

93602

 

[div25sec9]

I picked up this pair of Florsheim Imperials, can anyone tell me what kind of leather this is? There are no labels on the shoe that I can find indicating what it is. Thanks!

 

[smfdoc]

I picked up this pair of Florsheim Imperials, can anyone tell me what kind of leather this is? There are no labels on the shoe that I can find indicating what it is. Thanks! View attachment 2164125

Looks a little like bison.

 

[vestbash]

These are antelope, possibly kudu.

I picked up this pair of Florsheim Imperials, can anyone tell me what kind of leather this is? There are no labels on the shoe that I can find indicating what it is. Thanks! View attachment 2164125

 

[Satoman1]

I picked up this pair of Florsheim Imperials, can anyone tell me what kind of leather this is? There are no labels on the shoe that I can find indicating what it is. Thanks!

Kudu leather, probably made in Canada by John Mchale

 

[comrade]

I picked up this pair of Florsheim Imperials, can anyone tell me what kind of leather this is? There are no labels on the shoe that I can find indicating what it is. Thanks! View attachment 2164125

Beautiful shoes.

 

[comrade]

A cla

Beautiful shoes.

A classmate of mine from College was a Florsheim. Not surprisingly,
he became an investment banker/private equity guy.

 

[suitforcourt]

I picked up this pair of Florsheim Imperials, can anyone tell me what kind of leather this is? There are no labels on the shoe that I can find indicating what it is. Thanks! View attachment 2164125

I had same pair. Mine were labeled as kudu antelope.

If made in Canada, manufactured by John McHale.

 

[eTrojan]

My maiden voyage with a pair of LB Sheppard shell LWB I recently picked up. I’ve done only a minimal amount of cleaning and conditioning.

There is a lot of residual polish that I haven’t taken the time to remove. A couple rounds of saddle soap, which was still turning burgundy with excess polish. And a quick round of neatsfoot oil to add some moisture. The shell is in pretty good shape and not showing any signs of dryness.

 

[div25sec9]

These are antelope, possibly kudu.

Kudu leather, probably made in Canada by John Mchale

Beautiful shoes.

I had same pair. Mine were labeled as kudu antelope.

If made in Canada, manufactured by John McHale.

Thanks guys!!

 

[ppk]

My maiden voyage with a pair of LB Sheppard shell LWB I recently picked up. I’ve done only a minimal amount of cleaning and conditioning.

There is a lot of residual polish that I haven’t taken the time to remove. A couple rounds of saddle soap, which was still turning burgundy with excess polish. And a quick round of neatsfoot oil to add some moisture. The shell is in pretty good shape and not showing any signs of dryness.

View attachment 2164321

View attachment 2164323

I picked up a pair recently as well. They are amazing!

 

[actionjbone]

My maiden voyage with a pair of LB Sheppard shell LWB I recently picked up. I’ve done only a minimal amount of cleaning and conditioning.

There is a lot of residual polish that I haven’t taken the time to remove. A couple rounds of saddle soap, which was still turning burgundy with excess polish. And a quick round of neatsfoot oil to add some moisture. The shell is in pretty good shape and not showing any signs of dryness.

View attachment 2164321

View attachment 2164323

It's always strangely satisfying to see the old excess pigment wash away from the leather.

 

[friendlygoz]

AE Grayson in shell for tassel Tuesday…