Dacks and other Canadian shoe brands

[suitforcourt]

Usually when I go to thrift stores, I only find squared toe Aldos and disappointment. Once in a blue moon, I will score.

This time, I even scored TWO pairs in my size. A pair of PTBs made for the Canadian military and 96624. I rarely see American made Florsheims in local thrift stores.

Here they are:

Pic 1: Canadian made PTBs for military use in 8.5eee. Hanover PTBs in 9D.

Pic 2: Loafers from Florsheim by John McHale in 9.5E. Dacks in kangaroo sized 8F (8ee).

Pic 3: Dacks Bond Streets in 9.5D. Florsheim 96624s in 8.5eee. I am still deciding if I want to keep the pairs in my size. Otherwise, all will be sent to @mariusscott .

 

[mariusscott]

Found these lovely shoes out in the wild over the weekend. Only the second pair of Dack's spectators I have come across in my years, the other pair were shortwing wingtips whereas these are u wing's. Size 11C, the former owner even had tissue paper in the toes.

 

[BlueSteel]

Usually when I go to thrift stores, I only find squared toe Aldos and disappointment.

Lol - the perfect summary.

I'd be thrilled to find some good things in thrift stores, but I feel I can do better by searching for items in my size on ebay. Yes, I have to pay more - but I don't have to invest days and days of time searching for something good...and in my size!

 

[goatamous II]

hmm an 11C could be a good alternative to a 10.5D.....

 

[mackbrad]

Found these lovely shoes out in the wild over the weekend. Only the second pair of Dack's spectators I have come across in my years, the other pair were shortwing wingtips whereas these are u wing's. Size 11C, the former owner even had tissue paper in the toes.

These are outstanding. Is that mesh? What's it made of??

 

[suitforcourt]

1930s-40s Dacks u-wings. The weather has been fluctuating between humid summer to cool autumn days. As long as I get to wear my shoes, it's all good.

 

[VintageZealot]

Today I present a pair of vintage Dack's black calfskin derby shoes with hand sewn vamps. These are from the late 1980s or 1990s. I've seen this same style in other colours, more exotic leathers, or without the stitched vamps but I think simple black gives it a nice elegant look combined with the stitching.

This was also the first pair of vintage shoes I bought and marked the beginning of a new obsession hobby. They certainly opened a can of worms...



The soles feature the remains of an old set of toe taps:

 

[suitforcourt]

John McHale for Florsheim gunboats. The double leather soles have been reinforced with crespino sole protectors and cat paw heels were added for the true vintage feel.

Enjoy the last weekend of summer, gents.

 

[BlueSteel]

Hi All,

I found a gently used pair of Dack's Custom Grade black cap-toe oxfords today and bought them to apply my amateur cobbler skills...even though they will not fit me.

They are marked as 2115, which I understand to be size 11.5B.

They don't need a ton of work: they are still on original leather soles with Made in Canada markings clearly intact, Goodyear heel lifts are very lightly and evenly worn, all Dack's markings inside are still bright and readable. Couple very small nicks in the calf leather - I may try wet sanding those out.

Over the next 2 weeks - for fun - I'll be: sanitizing with alcohol spray and 2 courses of Shoe Zap UV sanitizing, then applying Saphir Renovateur and Saphir 1925 Black shoe cream polish, and Saphir Mirror Gloss wax on toecaps and likely a little on the heels, and also will do some black dressing on the sole edges.

Anyone here a size 11.5B and interested in some lovely black cap-toe oxfords? Great shoes for a job interview, wedding, etc.

I'm thinking after I have my fun with them I just want to recoup my costs by selling them for $50CDN (or $40USD) plus actual shipping charges (shipping from Canada - so more expensive than the usual USPS charge in the US) to wherever you are. (Or if by some fluke you have some cool shoes to trade to me in a size 11E that would be even better!) I'm not a shoe seller - never sold shoes in my life - this is just a project for me...and a chance to pass on a great deal to someone who wears 11.5B.

If you are interested, PM me about this. Thanks!

 

[suitforcourt]

Election day calls for Canadian made shoes. John McHale for Florsheim.

 

[VintageZealot]

Hopping into Wingtip Wednesday with this pair of late 1980s or 1990s burgundy Kangaroo Dack's! This pair is a bit wide for me but at least they are the right length and I can tie them fairly tight to make that less noticeable.

 

[mackbrad]

I stumbled across these boots during a thrift visit, but they were an 11, so i tossed them back in the water. Am I right to assume these are Dack's RCMP boots based on the spurs slot on the heel?

 

[suitforcourt]

I stumbled across these boots during a thrift visit, but they were an 11, so i tossed them back in the water. Am I right to assume these are Dack's RCMP boots based on the spurs slot on the heel?
View attachment 1673784
View attachment 1673785

Our resident expert, @Jiqea - what say you? My guess is made for RCMP or another police force. Doesn't make sense to have a "v-cleat" there.

 

[Jiqea]

I stumbled across these boots during a thrift visit, but they were an 11, so i tossed them back in the water. Am I right to assume these are Dack's RCMP boots based on the spurs slot on the heel?
View attachment 1673784
View attachment 1673785

They are the RCMP Concord boot, also known as the quarter Wellington. This pair was almost certainly made by Hartt. In the 50's and early 60's they were made by Mac & L. The heel slot held a "goose-neck" spur. These boots are still in production, made by the Alberta Boot Co. I believe. If you dig around in the back pages of this thread you will see some examples of mint pairs with the spurs. I keep a pair in my bedroom as a "conversation piece".

 

[mackbrad]

They are the RCMP Concord boot, also known as the quarter Wellington. This pair was almost certainly made by Hartt. In the 50's and early 60's they were made by Mac & L. The heel slot held a "goose-neck" spur. These boots are still in production, made by the Alberta Boot Co. I believe. If you dig around in the back pages of this thread you will see some examples of mint pairs with the spurs. I keep a pair in my bedroom as a "conversation piece".

Conversation piece indeed! lol. Thansk for the info @Jiqea . If they were one size smaller i'd be polishing then right now and searching eBay for a pair of goose-neck spurs! PS, if anyone here is interested in owning these, DM me. Happy to return and see if they are still there.