Doc Martens 1490 Boots

[polocoat]

Thinking about buying a pair of mens Doc Martens 1490 boots in their "Cherry Red" color. I like the color because it can be worn with both browns and blacks however, the color is a little too red and bright. I would like to tone them down a bit by using a cordovan shoe cream (don't want to use dye) but, not sure it would work or if there is a downside. Any guidance anyone could provide would be appreciated.

 

[Lefty]

I've got 1461 Made in England - the shoes in cherry - and did exactly what you've described. At first, it didn't do much, so I used a stiffer hair brush. This made for all sorts of small nicks and lines in the shoes (which you would never notice) that the cordovan polish found and filled. Since then, I've had people ask me if they're Docs from the 60s because of the antiqued look. I don't think I'd go that far, but it certainly dulled them down enough to where they don't glow red.

 

[foggy16]

funny thing is the current look of Docs has only been around for the last 20 to 25 years. Docs from the 60s would look nothing like Docs fo today. Also might add it is very hard to find early 80s or older docs. they have been around forever but rarely do you see any that are not in the newer style that started 20 to 25 years ago.

Here is the oldest pair that I personally have ever found. I estimate them to be late 60s or early 70s

They were cobranded like most of the older ones

 

[foggy16]

sorry I got so farr off track, just wanted to comment on the differences in vintage and modern Docs. I should say I am sure that there are some combat boots in their history since the military is where they got their start but I have never seen any.

 

[polocoat]

Thanks for you input!

 

[foggy16]

I see that they say that they are the exact same as the ones that rolled off in 1960, but has anyone ever seen a pair of this style that were made before the 1980's. Maybe it is because most were released in the UK and maybe it would be more plentiful there but still you would think they would show up on Ebay UK. In the early 1980s The sole labeling changed to the box with the 6 resistances in it and a solid cross beside it. Before that it was a Cross outline with writing in it and a box of 5 resistences. I have tried to study Docs but find it so hard to find anything pre mid 1980's that it is really hard to get any reaal knowledge built up.

 

[foggy16]

I would take a better picture of that insole except I sold this pair about 2 years ago so this is all I have left of it.

 

[foggy16]

here is a pair of pointed toes from the late 70's that I sold a couple of years ago. Notice the difference in the sole labeling

 

[kyboots]

Thinking about buying a pair of mens Doc Martens 1490 boots in their "Cherry Red" color. I like the color because it can be worn with both browns and blacks however, the color is a little too red and bright. I would like to tone them down a bit by using a cordovan shoe cream (don't want to use dye) but, not sure it would work or if there is a downside. Any guidance anyone could provide would be appreciated.

Polo those are good looking boots. Be sure and send some pics when wearing them. John