My favorite Pebble Grain Wingtips and a recent acquisition. Actually, the leather on these is simply incredible. Extremely soft to the touch, very deep grain, and the patina (developed over something like 60 years) is fabulous. I LOVE textured leather, and the closest thing I've seen to these is a pair of vintage C&J's I used to own. I like these more.
Research tells me these MAY be actual American Buffalo. Most of the "buffalo" skin shoes out there are actually water buffalo (of which I own a pair of Nunn Bush- posted some pages back). They both have a wonderful texture & are very durable. The American Buffalo, however, is known to be softer and to age better. No more American Buffalo shoes, because of law.
Very interesting to note, I think is the design of the wing on these. I had always thought that Church's had originated the design of the Grafton "longwing". Although not a traditional "longwing", the Grafton DOES have a longwing (a different part of the broguing that goes straight back down the length of the shoe. First time I saw that design on a non-Grafton. I believe these were made in the '50's and have never seen a Grafton that old. Did Church's take the Grafton "wing design" from Florsheim?
Issh, is this the same skin as your shoe above?
John Lofgren Monkey Boots Shinki Horsebuttt - $1,136 The classic monkey boot silhouette in an incredibly rich Shinki russet horse leather. 
Grant Stone Diesel Boot Dark Olive Chromexcel - $395 Goodyear welted, Horween Chromexcel, classic good looks. 
Schott 568 Vandals Jacket - $1,250 The classic Perfecto motorcycle jacket, in a very special limited-edition Schott double rider style. Here are mine by the way:
Churches, Vintage Florsheims and, as yet unworn Cole Haan's
Crosby Square. Too small for me though. They have a gold tint to them though not quite as much as the photos suggest.
Here is a pair of NOS (obviously only tried on in the store) 11 D Crosby Square Longwings. These are as substantial as the old Florsheim gunboats.
But with a much more elegant last.These are as substantial as the old Florsheim gunboats.
I just got these today. They are Cole Haans, marked "Made in England," and "Bench Grade" on the soles. The inside has "style," and underneath that "2636." There is an "823" marked in the shoe, which I'm guessing is a last number. Underneath the last number--if that is what it is--is "-04-89." The shoe is in a 40s-50s style--much like a Crosby Square, but I'm guessing it's later. Anyone familiar with English bench grade Cole Haans?
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