Calling Vintage Florsheim Experts. Help Needed.

[rebel222]

I got a pair of NOS Florsheim wingtips that I need to verify that they are shell. I really don't want to wear/crease them to find out. They are a dark burgundy. Darker than other Florsheim Shell shoes I have experienced. They retailed for $165 new, but I don't know how old they are. They have the number 93605 written below the size inside the shoe, and on the outside of the box. I currently own a pair of Shell wintips that have the same number on the interior. They are also very shiny for being however old they are. I know for a fact that they aren't CG, so don't let the shine point to that. They only reason I am hesitant that they are shell is the box labels them as "brown," and the color is very dark. I am either going to sell them, or sell my used pair and keep them. I don't want to sell them as shell and them not be such. I also don't want to keep them (sell my own), and then they aren't shell. I have attached pics to assist in answering. My main question is "is that number the model # and if so, would a calfskin and shell shoe have the same model #?" Thanks for the help.

 

[rebel222]

 

[slt]

I'm not an expert, but this should be of interest:

http://www.askandyaboutclothes.com/f...ad.php?t=81352

I obviously cannot guarantee the correctness.

 

[rebel222]

Originally Posted by slt

I'm not an expert, but this should be of interest:

http://www.askandyaboutclothes.com/f...ad.php?t=81352

I obviously cannot guarantee the correctness.

Hmm. That says either Shell or Corrected Grain, and these definitely aren't CG. Score. Others, please chime in to make me certain.

Thanks

 

[Tarmac]

you should wear them on the carpet, see if a little bloom develops. It shouldn't affect value

 

[grimslade]

While the complete lack of texture makes me hesitate, I lean toward shell. There is a seam on the tongue and underneath where the vamps are sewn down, right?

 

[rebel222]

Originally Posted by grimslade

While the complete lack of texture makes me hesitate, I lean toward shell. There is a seam on the tongue and underneath where the vamps are sewn down, right?
Yes. There is a seem. How does that tell anything? Is that unique to shell Florsheims?

 

[rebel222]

I got a box with 3 pair of Vintage NOS Florsheims today. I was hesitant too b/c these are so smooth. They literally look and smell like they came off the shelf. They were definitely stored properly. They had this shine out of the box.

 

[grimslade]

Shell longwings often have a seam there because a single piece tongue and apron, running all the way back to the heel, would be quite large to be cut from most shells.

Their current-model longwings lack that seam because they're not made from shell. That said, I have no idea whether Florsheim constructed its calf longwings differently from the shell models in the past, although they could have since calf is clicked from much larger pieces of hide. I'm no Florsheim expert.

 

[greekgeek]

They look like shell to me.

 

[rebel222]

I got 3 pair of NOS Florsheims today, and the 2 calf pair also have the seam there.

I took a few steps on carpet in these shoes. I think they are shell. I will probably sell my used ones and keep these.

However, I am still soliciting opinions and expert advice.

 

[grimslade]

Good to know, thanks.