Dacks and other Canadian shoe brands

[Jiqea]

That ad doesn't mention the type of leather does it, Jim?

No, but I will look for one that does.

EDIT: I looked from 1970-2000. Nothing. They were only advertised during the 150 anniversary years, although there was very little of any advertising after 1987. The end had begun. No mention of the leather.

 

[lbgradwell]

Thanks for looking. I wondered if "Prairie Oxhide" was invoked.

 

[slimjohnil6]

I posted this on another thread, - but thought I'd ask here too as these are Canada made shoes. Any info on these? Found them today at a thrift shop. Gold Bond by Hartt - size 9D. Look like they were worn maybe one time, judging from the wear on the sole.
The texture on the uppers look similar to a camel leather I've seen on other Hartt shoes.

 

[lbgradwell]

I posted this on another thread, - but thought I'd ask here too as these are Canada made shoes. Any info on these? Found them today at a thrift shop. Gold Bond by Hartt - size 9D. Look like they were worn maybe one time, judging from the wear on the sole.
The texture on the uppers look similar to a camel leather I've seen on other Hartt shoes.

That's the Hartt twin of the Dack's Bond Street that appears in Jim's ad from 1986 directly above. Lovely shoes!
And the leather is what Hartt called "Prairie Buffalo" (what dack's called "Prairie Oxhide"), but, in reality, was likely Water Bison.

 

[suitforcourt]

Was able to find some Canadian made Florsheim Imperials on the weekend (McHale?) as well as a funky pair of mens Fluevog chukkas (canadian brand although foreign manufactured - and not really classically styled).

I believe these are Kudu Antelope plain-toe-bluchers but do not appear to be goodyear welted. View attachment 1296008

I have this exact pair of Florsheim by John McHale. Mine came NOS with original tags. Marked as antelope leather. I find the last to be a tad tight even though they are 8.5eee. If given option, I would have bought 9eee.

I believe all Canadian made Florsheim were manufactured by John McHale. You have a pair of gems.

Fluevog is not my cup of tea. The prices are outrageous given they are made overseas. Designs are too metro for me.

 

[slimjohnil6]

Found this nice pair of Canada made Florsheim... I believe they are the Varsity line, not the popular Imperial.
Not my size, so they went on EBay. Thought they were a nice representation of Canada Florsheim.

 

[suitforcourt]

Found this nice pair of Canada made Florsheim... I believe they are the Varsity line, not the popular Imperial.
Not my size, so they went on EBay. Thought they were a nice representation of Canada Florsheim.

View attachment 1297161 View attachment 1297162 View attachment 1297163 View attachment 1297164 View attachment 1297165

Made by John McHale. Great quality. What size are they???

 

[slimjohnil6]

Made by John McHale. Great quality. What size are they???

Size 8.5 D
No markings indicating John McHale, but they had a round made in Canada stamp on the inside sole. Were they all J McHales?

 

[suitforcourt]

Size 8.5 D
No markings indicating John McHale, but they had a round made in Canada stamp on the inside sole. Were they all J McHales?

Based on what I know, yes. Others are free to jump in with their input.

 

[slimjohnil6]

That's the Hartt twin of the Dack's Bond Street that appears in Jim's ad from 1986 directly above. Lovely shoes!
And the leather is what Hartt called "Prairie Buffalo" (what dack's called "Prairie Oxhide"), but, in reality, was likely Water Bison.

Thanks for the info on these!

 

[slimjohnil6]

Thanks for the info on these!

Can anyone explain the number codes that appear on this shoe? Here’s the code numbers:

9D 5712 4
8213 82 84

Trying to figure out the manufacturing year for these mainly. Pretty sure they’re 9D as that’s my size but no info beyond that. Thanks!

 

[Jiqea]

On my recent trip to London I picked up this pair of very interesting Dack's Norwegian gunboats. They have the Anniversary sock-liner, but have the red diamond Dack's tag. This is the first pair of Anniversary Dack's that I have seen with the Dacks diamond tag. I had been convinced it had been totally phased out by that time. The shoes also have the the 50's and 60's style "Bespoke Quality- Hand Benched" stamp on the sole, which is entirely absent from Bespoke shoes from the 70's and early 80's. Bespoke Dacks from those years just have the "Extra Quality- Made in Canada" stamp. I wonder if these shoes were a special order for an old customer.

The styling hearkens back to the 1950's "Kenwood". While they are double-soled, they lack the nailed waste, which is a trait that does occasionally show up on Anniversary shoes. I find this surprising given the other early traits on this pair. It is neat to see that Dack's was still making a few of these classic shoes as late as 1983-87.

The "Kenwood" ad is from 1952.

 

[Jiqea]

I posted this on another thread, - but thought I'd ask here too as these are Canada made shoes. Any info on these? Found them today at a thrift shop. Gold Bond by Hartt - size 9D. Look like they were worn maybe one time, judging from the wear on the sole.
The texture on the uppers look similar to a camel leather I've seen on other Hartt shoes.

View attachment 1296686

View attachment 1296688
View attachment 1296689
View attachment 1296690

These Gold Bonds were almost exclusively manufactured in England, however this is the second pair of this exact style that I have seen that were definitely made in Canada. I have also seen a few other styles of Gold Bonds that were made in Canada. Yours are one of the very best that Hartt was offering in the 1980's. They are some sort of water bison or buffalo leather. Tough as nails. A great find.

 

[lbgradwell]

Can anyone explain the number codes that appear on this shoe? Here’s the code numbers:

9D 5712 4
8213 82 84

Trying to figure out the manufacturing year for these mainly. Pretty sure they’re 9D as that’s my size but no info beyond that. Thanks!

The 9D is indeed the size, and the 5712 is the model number. The 84 is the last number.

If anyone has cracked the other numbers, I am not aware of it...

My pair is also "Made in Canada".

 

[gorebug]

I’ve found a couple pairs of these around lately, any idea on the maker.

very stiff and thick leather - I’m guessing part of a uniform of some sort.

(just realized I never took a picture of the boots themselves, but they are plain toed)