Vintage Dress shoe appreciation, tips, maintenance and advice

[CWOyaji]

Really?!?! Wow!

Vcleat at heel edge means pre-1973 and black lettering means 50s or 60s. H means August; the calculator says HE is a 54 or 64. My guess is 1964.

 

[stook1]

Happy weekend, gentlemen.

First, those Eaton's Barkdale NOS PTBs that I bought a week or so ago landed today. I have to admit, these are a pretty nice pair of shoes. I will take some photos for everyone tomorrow. Seems to be a full leather insole with a fabric and leather lining. The leather lining is surprisingly supple. In fact the whole shoe is pretty supple for a grain leather. Anyway, I will take some pics tomorrow. I think I paid about $65 shipped for this pair --- not bad a for a new shoe of this quality. These are quite a bit more well made than those bargain nos british walkers that I dyed a while back just for relative context.

Second, and I suspect I know the answer to this already... Can anyone provide some context for how big the jumps are in width for Florsheim longwings? Eyeing a pair in my length that are a EEE. I'd generally buy a D or perhaps an E. I'm thinking that might be a bit much and I'd be well advised to take a pass. Mainly asking since I know that some makers don't significantly adjust the widths and I don't have the benefit of having previous tried wide florsheims.

Aforementioned Eaton's Barkesdales. These look a bit dull in this light. I am going to condition them and polish them --- i'm debating a light coat of saphir mahogany to give a little bit more zest to the color, maybe? Need to look through what I have handy.

 

[smfdoc]

Maybe someone had wanted to enter this year's vintage shoe restoration challenge, but gave up half-way, then decided to try to flip the shoes for a profit? Sounds plausible.

Vintage Men's Florsheim Imperial Quality Wingtips Size 9.5 D Style 93602 | eBay

Vintage Men's Florsheim Imperial Quality Wingtips Size 9.5 D Style 93602. Condition is Pre-owned. Shipped with USPS Priority Mail Legal Flat Rate Envelope.

www.ebay.com

if those are worth $69, I have pairs worth $1000! ?

 

[StanleyWingtip]

Hey guys, so i thrifted a pair of florsheim shell 93231's aka THE TUSCANY. . One shoe was missing a tassel (got lucky and found it inside the other shoe), and the second shoe's lace cracked/ripped while i was untying it...anyone know where I can find decent quality shell replacements online? Or should I just order the lace and have my cobbler sew on the old tassels?

 

[HalfHuskyBite]

Are you a wide footer as well? Most shoes I am 8.5/9eee while vintage Canadian shoes I am G width.

No, regular D width here.
Take a trip to the Australian Boot Company.

 

[stook1]

Ok gents, last post on this pair probably... quick condition and polish. Went with a little cognac cream and mahogany wax. While I was working on them it seemed like i was wasting my time but actually i like the color better now that I got them into the light.

 

[woofmang]

Ok gents, last post on this pair probably... quick condition and polish. Went with a little cognac cream and mahogany wax. While I was working on them it seemed like i was wasting my time but actually i like the color better now that I got them into the light.

View attachment 1257787

Definitely an improvement! Nice score!

 

[Jiqea]

Ok gents, last post on this pair probably... quick condition and polish. Went with a little cognac cream and mahogany wax. While I was working on them it seemed like i was wasting my time but actually i like the color better now that I got them into the light.

View attachment 1257787

Eatons started carrying the Birkdale line of shoes and clothing as early as the 1920's. A quick scan of the adverts leads me to believe your shoes date circa 1980. Here is an advert from November of that year. The pair second from the bottom.are very similar to yours. The sock-liner in your shoes only shows up in the adds from 1977-1981.

 

[suitforcourt]

Early voting for our federal election. Then went to thrift store. Didn't find anything.

Wore my Florsheim PTBs with Vibram western soles.

 

[stook1]

Eatons started carrying the Birkdale line of shoes and clothing as early as the 1920's. A quick scan of the adverts leads me to believe your shoes date circa 1980. Here is an advert from November of that year. The pair second from the bottom.are very similar to yours. The sock-liner in your shoes only shows up in the adds from 1977-1981.


View attachment 1257883

Very cool! Thanks for looking that up for me. Looks like the only think they really cheaped out on is the heel stack which is synthetic. Leather quality is pretty good and the attention to detail is good. Of all the things to cheap out on that's obviously the best since it's easily rectified.

 

[CWOyaji]

The Salvation Army delivers again. Some Astorflex MI Italy chukkas, MI England Brooks Bros semi-brogues and vintage Bally trees. Plus a Patagonia Organic Cotton shirt for my oldest son.

Cheaney for BB. They're a little rough looking right now, but I think these will turn out well.

 

[Raimar]

Saw these vintage Nunn Bush the other day. I did not think they were worth picking up with that light cracking in the front of both shoes. Also was not sure about the three eyelet style.


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[CWOyaji]

Saw these vintage Nunn Bush the other day. I did not think they were worth picking up with that light cracking in the front of both shoes. Also was not sure about the three eyelet style.


View attachment 1258023 View attachment 1258024 View attachment 1258025 .

^Good pass.

 

[smfdoc]

Hey guys, so i thrifted a pair of florsheim shell 93231's aka THE TUSCANY. . One shoe was missing a tassel (got lucky and found it inside the other shoe), and the second shoe's lace cracked/ripped while i was untying it...anyone know where I can find decent quality shell replacements online? Or should I just order the lace and have my cobbler sew on the old tassels?

Steve at Bedo's leather works can repair or replace some of the shell damage. Here is a video of him doing the impossible repair of some shell Alden shoes that were a dog chew toy.

 

[stook1]

Black shell hanover longwings in 9E. Good deal and good condition. Not mine.

HANOVER Men’s Genuine Shell Cordovan V Cleat Wingtip Dress Shoes Size 9 E/C | eBay

Horsehide upper has no major scuffs or scrapes. - Genuine shell cordovan upper. - Long wingtip design. - Black color tone. - Leather insides have normal wear from use. - Original soles normal wear and have life lots of left, no holes or soft spots.

www.ebay.com