The Shell Cordovan, non-Alden Shoe and Boot Thread

[pkincy]

The Florsheim Imperial Shell Cordovan 93605 "Gunboats", believe they're from 1968-72, found locally, basically sat in a box unworn. I put some Topy's on them to protect the sole and a brass toeplate. Before pic with the wooden sole and the 88 Brass Nails, which gave the shoe the famous name, "Suicide Heel". They don't make em like they used to. Good brushing, some Saphir overnight, another brushing, and brand new.

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I graduated from a Preppy College in 1968 and these were de riguere wear for classes in that era. This, a London Fog jacket, Gant shirt and Corbin slacks. Soon after flip flops and cutoffs took over. I prefer the old 'dress for success' style.

 

[smfdoc]

The Florsheim Imperial Shell Cordovan 93605 "Gunboats", believe they're from 1968-72, found locally, basically sat in a box unworn. I put some Topy's on them to protect the sole and a brass toeplate. Before pic with the wooden sole and the 88 Brass Nails, which gave the shoe the famous name, "Suicide Heel". They don't make em like they used to. Good brushing, some Saphir overnight, another brushing, and brand new.

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Great find. The sole has grain stained on it, but they are leather. You can find good information to date the shoes down to the month and likely year at vcleat.com, link.

 

[Phrank]

Great find. The sole has grain stained on it, but they are leather. You can find good information to date the shoes down to the month and likely year at vcleat.com, link.

The code is HE - so it's 1964 or 1974...and the lettering does look old and is (edited: went and looked closely, the letters look more blue and the V-Cleat suggests these would be 1974.)

 

[Betelgeuse]

Handsome shoes! Will you please share details?

Thanks! Those are Carmina, on the Uetam last, burgundy cordovan with hatach grain strap in cordovan too.

 

[Watchman1]

X Post from CJ thread!

Happy Tuesday!

 

[kbadgley84]

X post from the thrift thread. Wish they were my size

 

[zippyh]

Tricker’s monkey boots

 

[cop1211]

EB color 6 hatch and smooth shell.

 

[stephenaf2003]

 

[JFWR]

Great find. The sole has grain stained on it, but they are leather. You can find good information to date the shoes down to the month and likely year at vcleat.com, link.

I usually chuckle when people think leather soles are made of wood, but it is impossible to laugh when Florsheim made such a point to make all their soles look as if they were made of wood.

It's a great aesthetic, but why wood, I wonder? Like what was the idea behind that decision? Was it the pre-existing conflation of leather with wooden soles?

 

[jet-stream]

Carmina PTB in unlined #4:

 

[Thrift Couture]

I know it says non-Alden, but I always thought of it more as a guideline than a rule. Lol! Plus, these are so nice. Mahogany shell cordovan.

 

[H. E. Pennypacker]

C&J brown shell Lindrick

 

[sam67]

Drinking $4 coffee between appointments in AE shell Bradley

 

[flylikeneagle]

C&J whiskey Cardiff