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Dacks and other Canadian shoe brands

davidVC

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I just picked up these really rare S.E. Dacks 330 Water Bison whole-cuts that just showed up on the @davidVC list. The vendor very generously agreed to a nice discount, so there will still be turkey on the table this Christmas. The S.E Dacks were made from 1952-1958 and were the highest quality Dacks offering. For those that are not aware, my avatar is a picture of old S.E. himself! This water bison whole-cut continued to be manufactured right up until the late 70's as part of the "Bespoke Quality" line that replaced the S.E. Dack line. For a brief period this style overlapped with the Kudu whole-cut, and then it faded from history.

Oh yes, I forgot to mention that these are in my size 10.5D. Did I mention they are rare. You will see way more than a thousand pairs of Dacks for every pair of S.E Dacks. These will clean up wonderfully. Water Bison leather is virtually indestructible.

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Those shoes are amazing. I looked at the photos quite a bit. Glad you got them.
 

gorebug

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I passed over these several times before noticing the insole

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left this pair of kangaroo loafers behind due to price but will go back and grab them if anyone is craving them (size 11)

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suitforcourt

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Jiqea

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I just picked up this pair of NOS Florsheim Imperials by McHale. I had a hot horse tip from @davidVC that they had just been posted to his venerable list (you should check it twice). For all the world they appear to be shell, hence the horse tip. As we know, shell shoes in Canada were never really the thing. I have only ever seen pictures of one pair of shell John McHales. Both that pair and this pair were made after the buyout by Interco (Florsheim), so perhaps there was some cultural appropriation going on.

I checked against three pairs of CG McHale Florsheim Imperials that I have owned, and the coding in this pair is different. That sent me to the newspaper archives where I found the attached 1962 advert from the Calgary Herald, advertizing Cordovan Florshiem Imperials. I am really surprised. I am pretty sure this is what my shoes are, although they are not exactly as shown on the advert, as the brogue work on the lacing stay flap extends down to the longwing brogue work. It is also interesting that the cordovan shell Florsheim were advertized in Calgary, and this pair comes from Sweet Grass, Montana, immediately across the border south of Calgary.

I had to have the shoes shipped to my US mailing address so it will be a while before I have them in hand. They are an odd size, 7EEE, but they will go into my NOS McHale and Friends shoe display.

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Calgary Herald 1963.JPG
 
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gorebug

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I really like those whole-cuts - terrific score!

I thought I'd post that after my post above, wishes really can come true

thanks to being tipped off by @flipstah I was able to run out and grab...

In terrific shape
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While black is beautiful and they are 9D (so my size) I do tend to wear brown shoes more often so

These were on the shelf below them
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Which were also in my size and in near-perfect condition as well.

To round out the shoe front was able to spot these English made fighting seal loafers as well. I cant tell the size, but probably a 10 or 10.5
IMG_5719.jpg

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Jiqea

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I passed over these several times before noticing the insole

View attachment 1508347
View attachment 1508349

left this pair of kangaroo loafers behind due to price but will go back and grab them if anyone is craving them (size 11)

View attachment 1508350
I have sold a couple pairs of those white Dacks; to Australia where they must be in style. They are from the late 60's or early 70's. I am uncertain how long that sock-liner was in use, At one time I thought it was only in the 60's, but I suspect it hung around in the early 70's as well. No firm data on this. Just judging on style.
 

Jiqea

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I thought I'd post that after my post above, wishes really can come true

thanks to being tipped off by @flipstah I was able to run out and grab...

In terrific shape
View attachment 1509674
View attachment 1509675

While black is beautiful and they are 9D (so my size) I do tend to wear brown shoes more often so

These were on the shelf below them
View attachment 1509676
View attachment 1509677

Which were also in my size and in near-perfect condition as well.

To round out the shoe front was able to spot these English made fighting seal loafers as well. I cant tell the size, but probably a 10 or 10.5
View attachment 1509678
View attachment 1509679
The whole-cuts look freaking brilliant in black. This is the first pair in this style I have ever seen in black, and the latest that I have ever seen them made (83-87). I thought they were goners by the late 70's. So happy to see these shoes!
 

flipstah

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I thought I'd post that after my post above, wishes really can come true

thanks to being tipped off by @flipstah I was able to run out and grab...

In terrific shape
View attachment 1509674
View attachment 1509675

While black is beautiful and they are 9D (so my size) I do tend to wear brown shoes more often so

These were on the shelf below them
View attachment 1509676
View attachment 1509677

Which were also in my size and in near-perfect condition as well.

To round out the shoe front was able to spot these English made fighting seal loafers as well. I cant tell the size, but probably a 10 or 10.5
View attachment 1509678
View attachment 1509679

Glad you were able to grab them, mate!
 

dadjeans

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I have a pair of those white Dack's with the same sock liner. I break them out a few times each summer. I could definitely see them being useful in the Aussie heat!

dacks.jpg
 

Jiqea

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I picked up a little pair of John McHale black Bomber cap-toes today; size 6 D. These are the smallest John McHale Custom shoes that I have seen. It is nice to find a pair in black. For some reason you will find 10 pairs of these in brown for each that you find in black. They should clean up well. I will post some photos next week when they arrive.

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Jiqea

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The little Size 6D John McHale Bombers in black arrived today. A quick bath and some Bicks 4 and Collonil Creme du Lux and they are looking pretty damn nice. While cleaning them up I realized they would fit my wife perfectly. Perhaps I can see a little role playing in the future.....Yes, I have been a very bad boy!

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suitforcourt

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Canadian made boots just arrived. WM Moorby by Canada West. CW still makes boots and shoes for the Canadian military and some police forces. Fit wise, snug around ankle and heel area. Toe box is very roomy and square. I scored these for cheap from a seller on Facebook. Stitching isn't bad, with 270 GYW. Vibram 430 sole. Leather doesnt seem to be that great, relative to other brands. I will have speed hooks installed.

I would put Boulet well above WM Moorby.

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