Shoe ID Help Please - NOS English Shoes for Browns

[Henry Boogers]

I recently came across this pair of demi-brogues on Ebay for a whopping $24.99. They came to me in the condition shown in the last picture but naturally I had to tinker with them and add some depth of color until they looked like they do today as shown. So my question is - anybody have a clue who made these? Everything that I know about these shoes is shown in the photos. My guess is that were from some random shoe maker no longer in existence but figured I would ask anyhow.

Finished:

In process w/ dyes/polish/cream etc.

 

[Henry Boogers]

 

[Ich_Dien]

Nail pattern is unrecognisable. The last is very standard. It could truly be anyone...how old do you think they are?

 

[bengal-stripe]

We had the same shoes (different heel toplift) only a few days ago:

http://www.styleforum.net/showthread...46#post2214946

There must be a nest of those shoes somewhere.

The logo, (I take it, it's the dragon who got the better of St George holding his shield in triumph) looks familiar from a long time ago.
I believe, but I'm not absolutely certain, it was used by Grenson.

Initially when Brown's in South Molton Street started (before they turned to cutting-edge fashion and design) it was all English and tweed.

It is possible the shoes come from that period: early 70s.

 

[Henry Boogers]

Thanks Bengal. To the previous poster - the condition of the paper on the box (and know that I am Paper Engineer if you can imagine such a thing) suggests that these are 20-35 years old.

I thought those shoes that you posted were mine until I saw the heel. They came in the same exact - as in EXACT - condition. I agree there must be a nest and I would recommend finding it for $24.99!

 

[meister]

Originally Posted by Henry Boogers

Thanks Bengal. To the previous poster - the condition of the paper on the box (and know that I am Paper Engineer if you can imagine such a thing) suggests that these are 20-35 years old.

I thought those shoes that you posted were mine until I saw the heel. They came in the same exact - as in EXACT - condition. I agree there must be a nest and I would recommend finding it for $24.99!

The white welt stitching reminds me of my 1950s/60s shoes FWIW like my Weyenbergs. The last shape is also interesting as it has the look of the Frizl/Kiss Austro/Hungarian jobs...

 

[Ich_Dien]

I think they would look better with dark brown waxed laces.

 

[Wes Bourne]

Grenson is a good guess. I seem to recall ebay seller retailtherapy4all had some Grensons in an EF fitting, which isn't available from that many English makers. You should send an e-mail to Grenson with the information printed inside the shoes; I've found them to be very responsive.

 

[kev777]

Its always nice to know who made the shoes but for the price you paid who cares?? Thats a lovely pair of shoes for what is nealry for nothing !! Well done you jammy bugga !!!!!!

 

[Henry Boogers]

Originally Posted by jimmyoneill

I think they would look better with dark brown waxed laces.

Agreed - I put these laces on before adding any depth of color to them; I will have to tinker with the lace color.

To the comment about 'who cares' - agree here as well; the proof is in the preverbial pudding and the quality of these shoes is above the domestic makers in my opinion (AE & Alden). I stole them and am quite happy, but given my deep interest in the subject I can't help but be curious.

 

[Drydis Greis]

http://www.styleforum.net/showthread.php?t=24109 has an image, a very similar nail pattern to the shoe displayed here - a Crockett and Jones Benchgrade. Not sure yours is made by C&J, but it is a similar pattern.

 

[forex]

Great shoes,who is the seller?Also,what does EF size mean?

 

[Henry Boogers]

Not a clue what EF means, but they run a little wider than a standard 'D' and most importantly they seem to fit me.

Here is the auction if anyone wants to see if the seller has more.

 

[bengal-stripe]

Originally Posted by forex

Also,what does EF size mean?
It's not he size, but the fitting (width).

EF is a halfway house between E and F (the idea being, it will fit those who take E and those who take F).
Some other manufacturers call it EX (wider than E but not as wide as F).

(English fittings E, F, G = Amercan E, EE, EEE)

 

[Wes Bourne]

Originally Posted by bengal-stripe

It's not he size, but the fitting (width).

EF is a halfway house between E and F (the idea being, it will fit those who take E and those who take F).
Some other manufacturers call it EX (wider than E but not as wide as F).

(English fittings E, F, G = Amercan E, EE, EEE)

Would Sargent's EE fitting also = EF = EX?