Help me ID these Hanover Shoes (Shell?)

[gregaz]

Thrifted these Hanover's today, and need help ID'ing them. Of order of first of first importance is obviously the shell / no shell dilemma. The creasing leads me to believe that it is shell, but don't know how to verify. Anything else I can know about these? I saw a photo of almost an identical pair here listed as Florsheims (can't seem to find it again!), and there was something of significance about the metal wedge in the heel. What is it? I assume when I get the heels repaired that has to go away? I should add that I know nothing about the company - never even heard of it until today, perhaps start there? I know they are filthy, just picked them up - haven't had a chance to clean them. Thank in advance, Greg

 

[grimslade]

I vote shell.

 

[Tarmac]

Yes, and beat

 

[rebel222]

Definitely shell. They don't look too beat. Sturdy and well fitting shoe trees for a week should straighten them out.

 

[gregaz]

Found the other photo, it is in this thread. Here they are listed as Florsheim Imperial Wingtips (and likewise suspected as shell).

Thanks!
Greg

 

[grimslade]

I bet they'll clean up nicely. If you get resoled, you'll lose the metal cleat in the heel, which was a feature to make the heels last longer.

 

[lee_44106]

Yes, that's shell cordovan

 

[rebel222]

Originally Posted by grimslade

I bet they'll clean up nicely. If you get resoled, you'll lose the metal cleat in the heel, which was a feature to make the heels last longer.
Actually, B.Nelson can replace them with v-cleats. They quoted me a pretty cheap price for double stacked soles w/ v-cleats one time.

 

[Steven Aver]

Shell

 

[tonylumpkin]

Yeah, shell. But not necessarily that beat. They could use a good cleaning and MAYBE, a little LIGHT coat of polish. VERY light on the polish, but I'd try just cleaning with a damp rag and buffing first. L.B. Sheppards (L.B. was the company president) are the top of the Hanover line and close to Florsheim Imperials in quality.

 

[gregaz]

Sweeeeeeet! I think I got my first SF approved thrift!

What is B. Nelson?

 

[tonylumpkin]

Originally Posted by gregaz

What is B. Nelson?

http://www.bnelsonshoes.com/

They do nice work!

 

[BdeRWest]

Until a month ago, I lived in Hanover, Pa., where these shoes undoubtedly were made. In the late '70s/early '80s, Clarks Companies N.A. bought Hanover Shoe, and set up their U.S. distribution center there. The old Hanover Shoe factory is now a (rather nice) apartment complex in town, the company owned a bunch of horse farms (The Hanover Shoe Farms) that raise standardbred racing horses (Donato Hanover, if anyone follows, was from there).

The old Hanover Shoe store is a Clarks outlet in town now.

I thought you'd like to know a little history, since I had the information to share. Cheers on the shoes!

 

[gregaz]

Thank you everybody for being so helpful. Any guesses as to the vintage of these?

 

[The Deacon]

Mid 70's to early 80's. They'll look great once you work on them. Easily the equal of vintage Florsheim shell cordovan. Condition the black piping around the shoe collar so as to stall further cracking.