Seeking info on Church 'Fighting Seal' shoes and dating help?

[laurenm]

Hi All,
I found two pairs of 'fighting seal' shoes I am assuming are from the 1970s made by Church.
Inside stamp says "custom grade, fighting seal" ...is this truly sealskin or just a pressed leather effect? I don't see much in an internet search. Again, the seal hunt/trade issues are sensitive and I want to be certain.
Thanks;
Lauren

 

[Jonathan]

They are styled conservatively but I would think early 70s due to the very slightly square toe. As for the term fighting seal - I have never heard of that before. Usually when a word is added to a noun like that its a way of covering up that they are fake - like French Ivory, so I would be inclined to think they are boarded, or impressed with that pattern. I have never seen seal used de-furred before however, so I don't know.

 

[Pinkcoke]

Church have responded to my queries by e-mail before so I'd try contacting them they will probably still have the records or people that know. You'll have better luck with men's shoes as they are still making those today.

The creased pattern does look quite defined and regular all over to me, suggesting impressed leather. 'fighting seal' may even be the shoe style name, unless you have another on the inside.

 

[cotmyey]

I've a black pair of "genuin baffin island seal" with the exact same pattern... Dacks... I contacted them and they had no idea as they didn't have records left from then (1984)...