I did a little internet research and discovered that
Matterhorn is in fact owned by H. H. Brown, who also make army boots. In fact, my issued dress boots and ‘77
Matterhorn work boots were made at the same facility in Sherbrook (Quebec), 22
years apart.
As it turns out, both my dad and I made the same sizing
mistake 22 years apart. We both ordered
boots that were tagged for our shoe size, not realizing that H. H. Brown’s
sizing doesn’t conform to any kind of industry standard. He’s normally a size 7 shoe, and I’m an 8.5,
but in H. H. Brown sizing, I’m actually a 7.
This means that by good fortune, my dad’s sizing mistake ended up in my
favour.
As for my parade boots, I exchanged them for size 7.5 which
fit perfectly if I have to wear thick wool socks for a winter parade.
This week, I’m wearing my dress boots and polishing daily to
rebuild a fresh foundation of wax so that I can get a great spit-shine on for
Sunday’s Remembrance Day Parade.
