Help date these Florsheim shoes

[Guttersnipe]

I thought I remembered seeing a thread on how to date Florseim shoes, but alas I could not find the comprehensive dating guide that (perhaps) exists only in my mind. I searched and searched, but all I found were these, none of which contain much useful info:
http://thefedoralounge.com/showthread.php?t=41374&highlight=dating+florsheim
http://thefedoralounge.com/showthread.php?t=38236&highlight=dating+florsheim
http://thefedoralounge.com/showthread.php?t=35926&highlight=dating+florsheim
http://thefedoralounge.com/showthread.php?t=6506&highlight=dating+florsheim

So, can anyone who's in the know, let me know how old are these shoes are? I'm thinking 40's, but with a subtle late 30's aftertaste.

 

[The Shooman]

Why not write to Florsheim and ask them (if the writing is still inside, quote it to them) . l wrote to Florsheim last Christmas requesting the date of my NOS v cleats, and got a response within a day or two.

l think many people make out the Florsheim NOS v cleats to be alot older than they actually are; mine were only made in 1993 and have a perferated leather lining. The gunboats in my avator have a linen lining and look older; i'll probably get them dated too.

ls it true that up to the 1950's, the Florsheims outsole was solely stitched on without using any glue?

 

[YETI]

30s-40s...Why you askin? Are they for sale?

 

[Guttersnipe]

No, they're not for sale; I just scored them off eBay for $10.50. I was just curious as to an approximate date.

30s-40s...Why you askin? Are they for sale?

Which email address did you write to? They have a number of email address on the website.

Why not write to Florsheim and ask them (if the writing is still inside, quote it to them) . l wrote to Florsheim last Christmas requesting the date of my NOS v cleats, and got a response within a day or two.

l think many people make out the Florsheim NOS v cleats to be alot older than they actually are; mine were only made in 1993 and have a perferated leather lining. The gunboats in my avator have a linen lining and look older; i'll probably get them dated too.

ls it true that up to the 1950's, the Florsheims outsole was solely stitched on without using any glue?

 

[cookie]

I thought I remembered seeing a thread on how to date Florseim shoes, but alas I could not find the comprehensive dating guide that (perhaps) exists only in my mind. I searched and searched, but all I found were these, none of which contain much useful info:
http://thefedoralounge.com/showthread.php?t=41374&highlight=dating+florsheim
http://thefedoralounge.com/showthread.php?t=38236&highlight=dating+florsheim
http://thefedoralounge.com/showthread.php?t=35926&highlight=dating+florsheim
http://thefedoralounge.com/showthread.php?t=6506&highlight=dating+florsheim

So, can anyone who's in the know, let me know how old are these shoes are? I'm thinking 40's, but with a subtle late 30's aftertaste.

7 eyelets makes them 40s maybe early 50s.

 

[bburtner@moran]

Florsheim

They are not old by any means,1990s...

 

[sproily]

For some reason they look very recent to my eye also

 

[YETI]

No, they're not for sale; I just scored them off eBay for $10.50. I was just curious as to an approximate date.

I was kidding about selling the shoes. Anyways, the "Reg U.S. Pat. Off." under the logo was displayed on goods from the 50s to late 60s I believe. I'm leaning towards early 50s on the shoes. If it stated "Trade Mark Reg." I'd say 1930s - 40s.

 

[repeatclicks]

They look 50s to me also.

 

[Guttersnipe]

7 eyelets makes them 40s maybe early 50s.

That's interesting, is the number of eyelets a guide for dating mens shoes? I'm not sure that I've ever noticed any pattern (but I can't say I've really ever looked for one before, either).

I did find this add dated 1946, though. It's close, but not exact:

They are not old by any means,1990s...

Out of curiosity, what makes you say that? Quality wise, they're better made than I would expect from the 90's (they make every pair of Allen Edmonds I own look cheaply made by comparison).

 

[cookie]

That's interesting, is the number of eyelets a guide for dating mens shoes? I'm not sure that I've ever noticed any pattern (but I can't say I've really ever looked for one before, either).

7 eyelets is a dead give away for the 50s.

 

[HarpPlayerGene]

This is very interesting.

Congrats on picking those up. I agree about old Florsheim quality. I have come to the conclusion that I like them the best of all the vintage or modern shoes I've encountered, including AEs, Nettletons, French Shriners, J&Ms and others. The look and feel of the leather is uniquely special and the small, tight stitch work is mind boggling. There's just something about them.

For comparison, here's a pair of mine similar to yours. It is believed that mine are '50s but they have six eyelets and the "REG. U.S. PAT. OFF." blurb under the logo on the heel bed. [huh]

IMG]http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii79/harpplayergene/Shoes/DSC_0026.jpg[/IMG]

 

[Guttersnipe]

Wow, this is turning into a really useful thread, thanks for all the help guys!

7 eyelets is a dead give away for the 50s.

Regarding 7 eyelets for dating age, is it a hard fast rule, or more of a guideline, because while try do do a little i-net research on the subject I came across these. Both have seven eyelets, and this dealer, who is a highly knowledgeable "straight shooter," ands been in the business for years, says these are 30's:

And these are 40's (deadstock):

. . . Anyways, the "Reg U.S. Pat. Off." under the logo was displayed on goods from the 50s to late 60s I believe. I'm leaning towards early 50s on the shoes. If it stated "Trade Mark Reg." I'd say 1930s - 40s.

When it comes to "Trade Mark Reg." vs. "Reg U.S. Pat. Off." markings, I cannot seem to make heads or tails of the methodology behind the mark. I'm positive I've seen "Reg U.S. Pat. Off." printed items that predate the 50's (or, at least they look to predate the 50's to me).

Was it that the various marks appeared of different class of products at different times?

 

[cookie]

Regarding 7 eyelets for dating age, is it a hard fast rule, or more of a guideline, because while try do do a little i-net research on the subject I came across these. Both have seven eyelets, and this dealer, who is a highly knowledgeable "straight shooter," ands been in the business for years, says these are 30's:

And these are 40's (deadstock):

When it comes to "Trade Mark Reg." vs. "Reg U.S. Pat. Off." markings, I cannot seem to make heads or tails of the methodology behind the mark. I'm positive I've seen "Reg U.S. Pat. Off." printed items that predate the 50's (or, at least they look to predate the 50's to me).

Was it that the various marks appeared of different class of products at different times?

Those first ones are not 30s (even the condition is too good) and are probably early 50s or maybe very late 40s like the second pair IMHO. The rounder toe was more 50s whereas the 40s liked that more softer pointed style that you see these days. The 30s was more into variations of the spade sole and the swoop on the side of the black ones is not that era either.

They are both great shoes particularly the NOS brown ones which look like French Shriner and Urners of the period...

 

[The Shooman]

Which email address did you write to? They have a number of email address on the website.

l've searched high and low for the email, but i've unsuccessful locating it.

l think it may have been this link:
http://www.kiwicare.com/US/Contact/

 

[YETI]

When it comes to "Trade Mark Reg." vs. "Reg U.S. Pat. Off." markings, I cannot seem to make heads or tails of the methodology behind the mark. I'm positive I've seen "Reg U.S. Pat. Off." printed items that predate the 50's (or, at least they look to predate the 50's to me).

Was it that the various marks appeared of different class of products at different times?

I recall finding that info while doing research at the library some 15+ yrs. ago when I first started collecting/selling vintage clothes -- or anything vintage for that matter. I searched everywhere online and this is the best I could muster.
http://hofbats.com/id.html

 

[cookie]

I just bought these McAfees. What era? I think 1940s with that touch of the spade sole instep.

 

[Guttersnipe]

^^^pretty sweet kicks dude^^^

Jeez Cookie, I'm not sure. If I'm not mistaken, McAfee is a brand that goes way back. They are now owned by Church, I believe, but used to be a independent company.

My Florsheim's have that same "hint" of spade sole instep that the shoes, you posted do - it didn't come across in my previous pics - that and a certain delicate quality are what made me originally think they are 40's (with a 30's flavor). Perhaps one of the "heavy hitters" could weigh-in on this?

Here's a better picture my Florsheim's:

 

[cookie]

I have the same pair and they are one of my most comfortable shoes especially as they came in 11E size. The leather is awesomely shiny.

 

[cookie]

Regarding 7 eyelets for dating age, is it a hard fast rule, or more of a guideline, because while try do do a little i-net research on the subject I came across these. Both have seven eyelets, and this dealer, who is a highly knowledgeable "straight shooter," ands been in the business for years, says these are 30's:

And these are 40's (deadstock):

When it comes to "Trade Mark Reg." vs. "Reg U.S. Pat. Off." markings, I cannot seem to make heads or tails of the methodology behind the mark. I'm positive I've seen "Reg U.S. Pat. Off." printed items that predate the 50's (or, at least they look to predate the 50's to me).

Was it that the various marks appeared of different class of products at different times?

Here are some 1930s shoes that sold today on eBay. I think like lots of good quality NOS 1930s shoes they are made of kangaroo leather which seeems to defy drying out. Can you tell the difference from the 1940s and 1950s?