Introduction

Vintage Levi’ 501xx Big E original late 40s/early50s (used Condition). Condition is "Used". Dispatched with Royal Mail International 1st Class Tracked. 

These Levi’s Big E's were produced between 1947 and 1954- please see the indicators below which provide a guide as to how old the jeans are. Most of the indicators suggest pre 1951 but post 1947.

SALE AND DELIVERY

Enquiries welcome and sensible offers always considered but no returns once sold. 

This item will be posted via first class recorded Royal Mail, and will post worldwide.


History

What I have learned from my father is that these jeans belonged to an English soldier stationed in the United States sometime after World War Two. He died in 1960, but in accordance with his will the house clearance wasn’t conducted until 2000 so that the items would accumulate in value. Thus the jeans were used heavily in his lifetime but unworn until the end of the century.

My father, who ran a Levi's stall in Camden market during the 1990s and dealt solely in vintage denim, bought them in Hay on Wye in 2001 and they were passed down to me a few years ago. Alas I'm a skinny man and they don't quite fit. 


Eleven Features/Indicators of Age (see photographs and description)

1. (Pre 1980s) These jeans have selvedge on the inside, which indicates that they are pre 1985. In the early to mid-1980’s the use of selvedge denim was phased out due to productive efficiency, and the jeans produced in this era were finished with an overlock stitch on the outseam instead. 

2. (Pre 1971) Capital big E on the label indicates that they were produced before 1971 when the big E was changed to a small e.

3. (Pre-1966) The back patch reads “501XX” in black lettering (the second x is virtually faded now) indicating that they are likely pre 1966.

4. (Pre-1964) These jeans also have hidden rivets on the back pockets- the rivets are not visible on the back of the jeans- only from checking on the inside. The concealed rivets featured here were first introduced in 1937 as a result of complaints that the non concealed rivets were scratching furniture and saddles. The concealed rivets were replaced in 1964.

5. (Pre-1963) It is almost so faint as not to be visible but the rear leather patch has some red lettering which says “Every Garment Guaranteed” on This text is sitting above the 501xx lettering and below the Two Horse-logo, the 501XX models only had this until around 1963 thus this pair is pre 1963.

6. (pre-1954) These 501's have a leather patch which, along with all the other features, indicates strongly that they were produced before 1954, when the leather patch was phased out.

7. (Pre-1951) In the early 1950’s “LEVI’S” started to appear on both sides of the red tab along with the trademark “R”. A single-sided Levi’s RED TAB indicates a 501 produced prior to 1951. These jeans have this RED TAB!!! (with all the other features), that they are pre 1951. However, they do have a small (r) which is more typical of early 50s models and could be a manufacture error. The lack of "LEVIS" on both sides of the tab still indicated pre-1951.

8. (Pre 1951) Single Stitching (see the leg lining) in sixth photograph

9.(Post-WWII) The “diamond” refers to the centre of the arcuate where the two curves meet in a point. After the war, when the iconic 1947 501XX was released, the arcuate was stitched on with a double needle sewing machines that resulted in this little overlapping of stitches, often called the “diamond” by collectors and thrifters. The double needle technology eased the process of sewing the arcuate for the seamstresses who had been used to stitching the arcuate with a single needle, giving the pre-WWII stitched arcuates a different, slightly “wonkier” look.

10. (Post WWII) The fact the item does not have doughnut buttons and the fact it retains its leather patch would suggest it is a post-WWII item as oppose to a 1944 501xx model.

Thus, with all these points in consideration the evidence suggests these blue jeans were likely produced between 1947 and 1951, making them incredibly rare in any condition.

Condition

1. The bottom of the jeans are ripped, as per the photos. They can be fixed at a denim specialist and replaced with era-appropriate vintage denim for a reasonable price. The only reason I haven't done this is to preserve the integrity of the piece.

2. The inside front pockets should signs of having been repaired, but remain useable.

3. The rear back pocket has a hole

4. General fading, wear and tear you'd expect with 70 year old jeans


Further Reading:
 
All of this information can be found in a vintage Levi's guide, but here are some other sources for your reading. 

Articles

- https://www.heddels.com/2016/11/vintage-levis-501-jeans-the-ultimate-collectors-guide/ 
- https://long-john.nl/original-levis-501xx-jeans-from-1940s-ww2-period/
- https://www.levistrauss.com/2015/08/17/3-ways-to-identify-vintage-levis-jeans/ 

Books

Little, D. and Bond, L., 1996. Vintage Denim. Salt Lake City: Gibbs-Smith Publisher.

Garment Size - 

Waist c. 34 inches

Inseam leg 34-5 inches.