Dating LEVIS

[flat-top]

I just discovered a pair of LEVIS 501s in my basement.
They have selvedge, but are not Big E. There is a "6" stamped on the button.
The one place on the net that I found says they're from the mid 70's or older.
Anyone know anything about vintage Levis, or know of somewhere else online that spells this stuff out?

 

[Warbaby]

Here's an excellent page on dating Levis - good photos of the tags and labels: http://www.vintagemotorcyclejackets.com/501xx-tags.htm

And this one will tell you more than you want to know about denim in general: http://supertalk.superfuture.com/showthread.php?t=12729

 

[flat-top]

Here's an excellent page on dating Levis - good photos of the tags and labels: http://www.vintagemotorcyclejackets.com/501xx-tags.htm

And this one will tell you more than you want to know about denim in general: http://supertalk.superfuture.com/showthread.php?t=12729

Awesome! Thanks!
I think from what I'm seeing is mine are from 69-71.
And man, Supertalk is VAST!

 

[Burnsie]

"6 button" (a 6 with an underline on the back of the top button) are pre 1976. With a little e on the red tab I'd place them between '71 and '76. After 1976 they generally had a triple digit number on the back of the top fly button (but still had redlines up to the early 80's. The loss of a single digit number denotes a loss of quality in the denim.

 

[flat-top]

"6 button" (a 6 with an underline on the back of the top button) are pre 1976. With a little e on the red tab I'd place them between '71 and '76. .

That's exactly what I have!

 

[scotrace]

I have been wearing my 501's on and off since the early 80's! They still FIT!:eusa_clap I just bought another pair today.

 

[Burnsie]

I have been wearing my 501's on and off since the early 80's! They still FIT!:eusa_clap I just bought another pair today.

So the early 80's pairs...they have redlines right? It's impressive to think that 501's were still constructed with selvedge seams up until the early 80's, I don't think any other jeans maker in the world was up to those standards at the time.
Flat top - I forgot to ask - when you turn the top of the back pockets down are there 2 rows of single stitching or are they chain stitched?
Single stitching means pre 1974. Chain stitching means you can almost positively date them to '75-'76.

 

[flat-top]

Flat top - I forgot to ask - when you turn the top of the back pockets down are there 2 rows of single stitching or are they chain stitched?
Single stitching means pre 1974. Chain stitching means you can almost positively date them to '75-'76.

They have 2 rows of single stitching, so pre '74.
Do you think these jeans are worth much?

 

[Burnsie]

They have 2 rows of single stitching, so pre '74.
Do you think these jeans are worth much?

They definitely have some value - pm'd you some more info, check your messages!