Dacks and other Canadian shoe brands

[mackbrad]

It is a bit hard to tell. The shoes appear to have been rebuilt by Dacks in the 70's given the style of the crisp sock-liner and unworn soles and Biltrite heels. The shoes were likely originally made in the mid-60's. It is nice to see the results of the Dack's rebuild service, Nice shoes.

Very cool. I would never have guessed this was an option. That explains the overall newness, but lack of info inside. Thanks!

 

[mackbrad]

My hunt for vintage shoes has slowed down during the pandemic, but today I found a couple of nice pairs. One is a pair of 11D Dack's Camel skin shoes. They are in great shape. Another is a pair of 11.5D Church's "Fighting Seal" shoes - Made in England, so I will inquire about the shoe coding stamp on the vintage shoe thread, but thought I'd post the photo here in case anyone has some information on it. I think in some cases, the term "fighting seal" may indicate it's not real sealskin. But I bought them due to the interesting handwritten code on the inside. Pics attached.... View attachment 1442401 View attachment 1442402 View attachment 1442403 View attachment 1442408 View attachment 1442409 View attachment 1442410

Gems! Wish they fit me!

 

[dadjeans]

My hunt for vintage shoes has slowed down during the pandemic, but today I found a couple of nice pairs. One is a pair of 11D Dack's Camel skin shoes. They are in great shape. Another is a pair of 11.5D Church's "Fighting Seal" shoes - Made in England, so I will inquire about the shoe coding stamp on the vintage shoe thread, but thought I'd post the photo here in case anyone has some information on it. I think in some cases, the term "fighting seal" may indicate it's not real sealskin. But I bought them due to the interesting handwritten code on the inside. Pics attached.... View attachment 1442401 View attachment 1442402 View attachment 1442403 View attachment 1442408 View attachment 1442409 View attachment 1442410

I believe they are indeed a real exotic skin (some form of seal, but who knows what species). They're size 11.5 D and the model is Chatham. If the soles are original, they should also have the size stamped on the sole near the waist (likely as 115 instead of the 11 1/2 printed on the lining).

I believe if the waist stamp shows the width on the left and the size on the right, they're US sized and if they're reversed, they're UK sized. I'm assuming they're US sized and made for the North American market from the proportions shown in the photo.

I was lucky enough to thrift and flip the same model in walnut a few years ago! Great find!

 

[dadjeans]

Anyone want to play a game of "guess-the-maker" with these unusual Canadian beauties?

 

[slimjohnil6]

This is a long shot = McHale's? Look almost like a Florsheim model made by McHale.

 

[dadjeans]

This is a long shot = McHale's? Look almost like a Florsheim model made by McHale.

Good guess! I thought they were McHale when I pulled them off the rack at my local thrift but nope! It's a different Canadian manufacturer.

 

[slimjohnil6]

Hartt?

 

[dadjeans]

Nein!

 

[goatamous II]

Eaton's

 

[dadjeans]

Nyet.

 

[suitforcourt]

These beauties are courtesy of @Jiqea .

Vintage Hartt dating from the 1950s. Got these in NOS condition. These were from the days before Hartt was bought by Dacks (and in turn bought by Church's, which was bought out by Prada). One of the great Canadian brands.

Check out the triple row of stitches on the cap. The quality is unparalleled and the fact they have held up is a testament to their quality.

These 9F (about 9EE) fit snug. I would have chosen 9G (9eee). Today's maiden voyage broke them in nicely.

 

[dadjeans]

Thanks to @Jiqea for posting this ad last year. I believe these are the 305 style from the ad but custom dyed in a redder hue.

Spoiler

 

[COLONEL77]

My hunt for vintage shoes has slowed down during the pandemic, but today I found a couple of nice pairs. One is a pair of 11D Dack's Camel skin shoes. They are in great shape. Another is a pair of 11.5D Church's "Fighting Seal" shoes - Made in England, so I will inquire about the shoe coding stamp on the vintage shoe thread, but thought I'd post the photo here in case anyone has some information on it. I think in some cases, the term "fighting seal" may indicate it's not real sealskin. But I bought them due to the interesting handwritten code on the inside. Pics attached.... View attachment 1442401 View attachment 1442402 View attachment 1442403 View attachment 1442408 View attachment 1442409 View attachment 1442410
CHURCH SHOES WERE MOSTLY SIGNED IN WHITE INK AND BY WOMEN -
IF ANY SHOE STATES ' FIGHTING SEAL ' THEN IT MOST DEFINITELY WOULD BE AS OTHERS HERE WOULD BE ABLE TO ADVISE -
BOTH PAIR YOU FOUND APPEAR TO BE IN VERY DECENT CONDITION SO YOU DID VERY WELL. COLONEL77

 

[COLONEL77]

My hunt for vintage shoes has slowed down during the pandemic, but today I found a couple of nice pairs. One is a pair of 11D Dack's Camel skin shoes. They are in great shape. Another is a pair of 11.5D Church's "Fighting Seal" shoes - Made in England, so I will inquire about the shoe coding stamp on the vintage shoe thread, but thought I'd post the photo here in case anyone has some information on it. I think in some cases, the term "fighting seal" may indicate it's not real sealskin. But I bought them due to the interesting handwritten code on the inside. Pics attached.... View attachment 1442401 View attachment 1442402 View attachment 1442403 View attachment 1442408 View attachment 1442409 View attachment 1442410

CHURCH SHOES WERE PRETTY MUCH ALL MARKED IN WHITE INK AND BY A SMALL STAFF OF LADIES MOST OF WHOM HAD BEEN WITH THE FIRM FOR DECADES - FEW OTHER MAKERS EVER DID ANYTHING LIKE THAT -
IF THEY SAY ' FIGHTING SEAL ' THEN THEY MOST DEFINITEY ARE -
YOU DID VERY WELL WITH BOTH OF THESE. COLONEL77

 

[Jiqea]

These beauties are courtesy of @Jiqea .

Vintage Hartt dating from the 1950s. Got these in NOS condition. These were from the days before Hartt was bought by Dacks (and in turn bought by Church's, which was bought out by Prada). One of the great Canadian brands.

Check out the triple row of stitches on the cap. The quality is unparalleled and the fact they have held up is a testament to their quality.

View attachment 1442938 View attachment 1442939 These 9F (about 9EE) fit snug. I would have chosen 9G (9eee). Today's maiden voyage broke them in nicely.

They look great on you. Keep wearing them!!