Perforated Stetson shoes.

[carter]

I just won this pair of Stetson shoes on EBAY. (really - seriously. Please just use "EBAY" - editor)

I'd guess I940's or 50's. Damage to heel of right shoe. Hoping the leather isn't too bad. Looks like they may have been resoled at one time.

Does anyone have any information on these shoes?

 

[bigshoe]

My guess is the soles are original. Very few repair men can channel a mckay stitch that well. An interesting variant of an apron front shoe.
Tom

 

[carter]

My guess is the soles are original. Very few repair men can channel a mckay stitch that well. An interesting variant of an apron front shoe.
Tom

Tom, Can you tell us any more about this style of men's shoe? I'd be very interested as this is my second pair of vintage Stetson shoes. Carter

 

[bigshoe]

Just that the shoe shows a level of desgin that is impressive to me as a shoemaker. For example the mud guard is in one peice which is rarely done as most have a seam in the center of the toe which saves a lot in the cutting room. The front 3/4 of the shoe is built like a whole cut and the quarters are a derby type patern that has been cut back which makes them look like the facings on an oxford The quarters also seem to be in one piece on each side. I would say that your guess of the 50's is right but the pattern is ahead of its time. The sun fading of the one shoe makes me think it might have spent some time in a display window. all in all a cool shoe.
Tom

 

[The Shooman]

They look o.k. l'm after a couple summery perforated shoes. Been thinking of getting a couple of nice Vass to fill that empty area of my shoo collection.

 

[carter]

Here's an early photo of the Stetson Shoe Company building in Weymouth, MA. They opened for business in 1936 and closed in 1973.

Tom, Thanks for your insight regarding these shoes. I believe you could tell us a great deal about vintage shoes.
I'll post photos of another pair of Stetsons once I transfer them to Flickr.

Shooman, Looking forward to seeing some Vass. $$$

 

[bigshoe]

I talked to an old friend who is a retired mechanic for USM (United Shoe Machinery Co). He recalled Stetson as a good house. They did a lot of mckay sewn and fair stitched shoes (mckay sewn midsole and outsole sewn to that).

They like many other houses failed in the 1970s for various reasons I could write a book about, but apparently not for poor quality.
Tom

 

[carter]

Tom, I posted a pair of Stetson Old Masters on another thread, http://www.thefedoralounge.com/showthread.php?t=34167.
Please give me your opinion on these.
Thanks,
Carter