Levi DS Redline '555' NON-REPRO?

[mopar_jj]

Snagged these on ebay recently:

These are double stitched, Redline, and have 555 on the top button. Out of all the double stitched RLs I have, I think this is the only 555 pair. The rest are mostly 524,6, 558. The pockets even look a little like they are single stitched with their outer stitch spacing.

I have lots of repros with 555, but these are def. not repros.

Calling on Paul T, Serge, Levi Experts(AGAIN)!!

Thanks

Mj

[tweeds]

one day they will make repros of repros. with the 555 factory repros top of the list.

knowing levi's, they actually will.

[mopar_jj]

bump!!!!!!!!

[airfrogusmc]

I thought that older original 50s-60s 501s only had one # on the button? Also these and double needle. You can tell by the diamond shape on the arcuate. Look to me to be 1960s maybe Valecia St repros? Any other opinions? Is there a leg tag?

[mopar_jj]

left hand small leg tag 104 29

501

6 81 555M

62249 4

shrinkage 10% on other side

I m thinking Valecia St made Jun 1981.

Any comments?

[airfrogusmc]

That sounds right to me. Great pair of 501s by the way.

[mopar_jj]

$20 off Ebay!

instant favorites!

[nairb49]

I thought that anything with 555 on the top button was a Valencia Repro?

(obviously wrong, please enlighten)

[airfrogusmc]

Good question I think that the 555 # might have started showing up in the 1980s but I'm not sure. I don't know of any LVC repros of 1981 501s. And if they were Levis repros they would certainly have a date on the leg tag later than 1981. 1996 or later.

Paul?????

[Serge d Nimes]

I saw some 555 DS Redlines the other day at wasteland SF. They looked like early 80's redlines, but with the 555 that they might be those really bad 1996 repros, although these didn't really look like those and had a small e. The one sure way to tell is to see if there is a tag on the inside of the jeans on the left hip.

BTW, I saw a lot of fake vintage Levis at Wasteland. They looked like the Thai ones on ebay.

[mopar_jj]

there is a small (1" )square tag with the info listed a couple posts above. Im thinking these are not repro

[Serge d Nimes]

Yeah, those aren't repro.

[nairb49]

Serge! triumphant return!

So, 555 can be both repro/non and the defining characteristic is a small left hip tag?

And if tag is present, then they're aren't repro?

Because- I have a pair of 555 with the 60's paper patch "every garment guaranteed", copper hidden rivets and different colored single stitch arcuate.

But, no left hip tag.

This makes them LVC repros?

[mopar_jj]

hey nair, put up some pics and we will know for sure - sounds like you are right tho.

[nairb49]

Also, the belt loop at the back is not offset.

[nairb49]

[nairb49]

Lastly, the LEVI's is double-sided

[minya]

Yellow selvage???

[Stalker McStalkerson]

It's probably just the contrast from the pic. The selvage looks like a faded red to me.

Edit: Nair, I also have two late 50s-60s 501s- both without hip tags. However, the belt loop is offset.

[mopar_jj]

look like lvcs to me. Think I got a pair similar somewhere. One thing I did catch on some repro stuff. the top stitching is double stitch on the pockets - I know for sure a pair of the first 'generation' of big E repros I have have this. Dead giveaway on some repro stuff.

[nairb49]

minya-it is a very faded red

stalker-yeah, thats a bit what tipped me off, the non-offset belt loop

[Serge d Nimes]

Nairb, I am 99% certain there was a hip tag there at one point and without a doubt those are repros.

All big E redlines are single digit or no digit top button. if not, they are repro. 2 and 3 digit top buttons are double stitch 99% of the time unless they are repro. There are few instances where a single digit top button is double stitched. The ones I see are usually 505 and 517. Most DS redlines I have seen here are 524.

[Serge d Nimes]

Nairb, those are 1955 repros actually, I have a pair and have had probably 10 pairs of them long ago. The only ofset repros that I am aware of are 551ZXX. The DS big E repros are the notorious "Capital E" repros from 1996 that people are thowing stupid money at...

You can really tell the repros because the red tab is a nylon type material and real vintage levis have a red tab that is the richest, most beautiful red viscose you will ever see. Also the font is different

[Serge d Nimes]

real

repro

[nairb49]

Ah, its all clear!

Cheers for the info Serge!

[M.O.A]

still a great pair of jeans, esp at 20 bucks

[mopar_jj]

Hey Serge, I have a 6 Double stitch RL with ® tag. I have several more pair of these (I think). Are they rare? I think they are a transition piece between 6 single stitch and 524,558,555 double stitch?

Any comments?

mJ

[nairb49]

Excuse the lack of education, Double stitch RL? double stitch redlines?

I'm assuming you don't mean those RRL ralph lauren ones

[mopar_jj]

10-4! on thr RL I think this is a mid 70s transition piece

[Serge d Nimes]

AFAIC DS is DS. That was a lot of abbreviation action! For some reason, "6" button DS RL seem to be really common, followed by 8. I usually like the "8" jeans better, I couldn't tell you why though. I have a few DS pairs lying around. There is such a drastic change in denim, indigo and handmade look from SS to DS. You can tell that Levis mechanized and ramped up production when they they started double stitching jeans.