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pkincy

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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.

View attachment 1815396 View attachment 1815397
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

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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.

View attachment 1815396 View attachment 1815397

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

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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.

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.)

Flor_Code.jpg
 
Last edited:

JFWR

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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.

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?
 

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