Vintage Dress shoe appreciation, tips, maintenance and advice

[smfdoc]

@smfdoc and @davidVC are the experts.

Not me! An expert is a guy at least 50 miles from his office with a power point presentation. That toe will be an issue as it is darker than the surrounding shoe. You should also post these at the shoe care thread and see what they have to say.

 

[suitforcourt]

Not my shoes, but pretty cool:

https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/552...epicker-shoes-imported?ref=shop_home_active_1

 

[madhat]

Not my shoes, but pretty cool:

https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/552...epicker-shoes-imported?ref=shop_home_active_1

She's a witch! Burn 'er!

 

[madhat]

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Allen-edmonds-11-eee-/182840549329?hash=item2a92255fd1:g:-lsAAOSw9idZ6Bb1
@smfdoc I'm betting these stitch toes won't work for you. Kinda interesting, kinda weird.

 

[smfdoc]

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Allen-edmonds-11-eee-/182840549329?hash=item2a92255fd1:g:-lsAAOSw9idZ6Bb1
@smfdoc I'm betting these stitch toes won't work for you. Kinda interesting, kinda weird.

Yeah, not really my cup of tea. I don't mind split toes, but the one piece vamp and laces are a bit odd. They were discontinued in 2009. I can't see myself pulling those from the closet in lieu of all of my other black shoes. But someone will love them.

 

[PSU John]

Yeah, not really my cup of tea. I don't mind split toes, but the one piece vamp and laces are a bit odd. They were discontinued in 2009. I can't see myself pulling those from the closet in lieu of all of my other black shoes. But someone will love them.

... but talk about suicide heels! Those metal heel taps would not only feel like hell, but would be wicked on a terrazzo floor. Who thinks of stuff like that?

 

[smfdoc]

... but talk about suicide heels! Who thinks of stuff like that?

"Heel taps increase the life of your shoes." Good counsel, from the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons.

 

[meister]

... but talk about suicide heels! Those metal heel taps would not only feel like hell, but would be wicked on a terrazzo floor. Who thinks of stuff like that?

Never have been able to work out why anyone thought they were a great idea- safety wise.

 

[mormonopoly]

Hi everyone!
Seeking some help. I picked up these Church's recently. In general, they are in great shape
View attachment 861353
View attachment 861354
2 questions: does anyone know what this "s" in a circle symbol on the sole means?
View attachment 861355

Second: they have this nasty scratch in the toe; any suggestions on how to repair this?
View attachment 861356

Thanks!
John

Everytime I've seen something like that "repaired" it's heavy polish that does it. Basically, your only strategy is to coat the entire toe in a thick enough layer of polish that it covers up the surface imperfection. Those who do it well actually make it look quite nice.

 

[Schweino]

Hi everyone!
Seeking some help. I picked up these Church's recently. In general, they are in great shape
View attachment 861353
View attachment 861354
2 questions: does anyone know what this "s" in a circle symbol on the sole means?
View attachment 861355

Second: they have this nasty scratch in the toe; any suggestions on how to repair this?
View attachment 861356

Thanks!
John

The S symbol means they are seconds/factory rejects

 

[smfdoc]

I picked up some LWBs on Ebay and the maker's name and logo are worn off. I'm trying to figure out who made these shoes. The seller initially listed them as Florsheims, but that is not correct. The construction quality is very good and identical to Florsheim Royal Imperials I have had. The seller then changed the listing to Nettleton. I don't think that is correct either. The medallion on the toe is used by Alden, but I am not sure that they are Aldens either. They have a V cleat sole, and I have never seen an Alden with that, but I hear it has occurred. The label inside says:

9 1/2 D 88764 5
COMB 7248A J5

Any thoughts would be welcome. Here they are after some clean up.

 

[davidVC]

Everytime I've seen something like that "repaired" it's heavy polish that does it. Basically, your only strategy is to coat the entire toe in a thick enough layer of polish that it covers up the surface imperfection. Those who do it well actually make it look quite nice.

I agree.

Is the upper polished cobbler? Sort of looks like it. If so, its a tough one to fix or at least I have had no luck fixing it. Its basically a gouge in the material.

If it isn't polished cobbler, I have done a very light sanding (1800+ grit) of the area and recolored it. But that is much easier with shoes that are black or brown (medium to dark). Light color shoes are harder. And that color looks hard to match.

 

[davidVC]

I picked up some LWBs on Ebay and the maker's name and logo are worn off. I'm trying to figure out who made these shoes. The seller initially listed them as Florsheims, but that is not correct. The construction quality is very good and identical to Florsheim Royal Imperials I have had. The seller then changed the listing to Nettleton. I don't think that is correct either. The medallion on the toe is used by Alden, but I am not sure that they are Aldens either. They have a V cleat sole, and I have never seen an Alden with that, but I hear it has occurred. The label inside says:

9 1/2 D 88764 5
COMB 7248A J5

Any thoughts would be welcome. Here they are after some clean up.

View attachment 861889 View attachment 861890 View attachment 861891

I am pretty sure they are French Shriner shoes from the 1960s. The medallion is one French Shriner used. Its sort of unique

Here is a ebay listing of a similar pair:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/112605671163

 

[smfdoc]

I am pretty sure they are French Shriner shoes from the 1960s. The medallion is one French Shriner used. Its sort of unique

Here is a ebay listing of a similar pair:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/112605671163

Thanks. It is the same medallion. The construction quality on those in the Ebay ad is not as high. (single row stitching versus double, etc.) I shall investigate further.

 

[cc808314]

Hello friends. I came across these Florsheims on ebay, and was hoping someone can provide some info. I couldn't find much info on this particular model. I am thinking they are from made in Canada era.

https://m.ebay.com/itm/Florsheim-Im...e=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649