30s Jeans XXC 1936-1942

[indigoeagle]

1 hour ago, UkeNo said:

This model was then only produced for around 6-8months before the models were somewhat standardized for the remainder of the war, before then transitioning again from 1945 onwards as restrictions were lifted and materials became available.
This period itself then produced some models with unique and short lived combinations of features. 

Is this correct?..Broadly speaking? Thanks

 

TLDR: Do both the second half of 1942 and 1945 models feature denim Pocket bags and a crotch rivets? Or just one of those years? 

 

 

You've probably seen the new FW 1945 second half jeans.
It seems, that this model with light denim pocket bags, WWII denim, crotch rivet, no coin pocket rivets, no cinch, was produced from the second half of 1942 to the second half of 1945.
Most likely there were different models produced in parallel, i.e. with HBT or flannel pockets.
There were probably also different denims and cuts in use over the war time.

[UkeNo]

11 minutes ago, indigoeagle said:

You've probably seen the new FW 1945 second half jeans.
It seems, that this model with light denim pocket bags, WWII denim, crotch rivet, no coin pocket rivets, no cinch, was produced from the second half of 1942 to the second half of 1945.
Most likely there were different models produced in parallel, i.e. with HBT or flannel pockets.
There were probably also different denims and cuts in use over the war time.

Thanks.
It’s exactly that…I’ve seen the S601xx second half of 1945 pair from Freewheelers and also the S1003xx (S1000xx) 1942 pair from Warehouse, both featuring similar details. The new 1945 release from Freewheelers is what had me wondering. 
I hadn’t realized that those features were produced throughout that period, and not just at the start or end.

[beautiful_FrEaK]

Well, nobody really knows but I don't think we can generalise the 42 or 45 just based on 1-2 jeans of 10,000s that survived the time. There were probably just as many of totally different or normal 501s that just didn't make it to us.

[UkeNo]

1 hour ago, beautiful_FrEaK said:

Well, nobody really knows but I don't think we can generalise the 42 or 45 just based on 1-2 jeans of 10,000s that survived the time. There were probably just as many of totally different or normal 501s that just didn't make it to us.

I understand this. Just found it an interesting coincidence that pairs from both end of the war had the same set of features. 

Edited April 19, 2025 by UkeNo

[Dr_Heech]

I think there are 6 or 7 denim banners given out to retailers by levis over the years. The first one is from the late 1920s but the second one (shown here) and the third one, both relate to this era of 501XX. This one shows the Copper riveted on the patch also - 

[MJF9]

Bump

Denime 10th Anniversary 1937s... tip off from my pal @beautiful_FrEaK...  I need to wear these more...

[LazyS]

[Dr_Heech]

I know this thread is more about the repros of this particular era, but on the subject of hidden rivets and red tabs, it is important to establish the original and its' origins.

I have seen quite a few images of '1937' salesman samples before and they all have a tab but also hidden rivets. This pair showcased by Marvin's has a red tab but no hidden rivets. Obviously this pair is a little smaller (not by much) but the back pockets look definitely designed with only the red tab in mind as the new addition,  which could make these sample pair date from late 1936? I'm guessing as usual, but l believe these to be from the prototype era of the 1937 model (1935-37) 

Anyway definitely an early advert for the newly improved 501XX and worthy of sharing even if for the smaller gauge LS&Co buckle and the close ups of the warp/weft of the denim. Cute little arc too.

 

 

 

@beautiful_FrEaK Maybe change the title of the thread to 1936 rather than 1937 if @indigoeagle doesn't mind?

[indigoeagle]

3 hours ago, Dr_Heech said:

@beautiful_FrEaK Maybe change the title of the thread to 1936 rather than 1937 if @indigoeagle doesn't mind?

No, sure. Good idea.
I had been thinking that myself a few times. When I had made the thread, I didn't know about that.

[Dr_Heech]

Rare early 1936 model with hidden tab

 

 

[indigoeagle]

As mentioned in the FW's thread in December 2023 to celebrate the 25th anniversary of BerberJin LVC had issued a 1942 model together with BerberJin based on a pair owned by Mr. Yutaka Fujihara.
Made from dead stock Cone Mills White Oak denim at Levi's "Eureka Innovation Lab" in San Francisco.
Limited to 80 pairs.

There is still a golden size (W34 L32) pair available here (not for resellers).

Edited December 5, 2025 by indigoeagle

[Dr_Heech]

Despite the poly-cotton stitching and that comedic two horse patch, it's amazing how Lvc can get the details right in places when it suits them as long as their price is more extortionate than usual.

Thank God for Freewheelers and Sugarcane 

[reubensangwich]

Deadstock pair from Mushroom Vintage

 

 

[Dr_Heech]

@reubensangwich ^Nice spot. I saw these Levi's bucklebacks recently and must conclude that they were probably made in around 1940/41, as they have some elements of the 1941 model (Overlapped yoke and black waistband chain stitch) but one feature left over from the 1937 model - flat bottomed concealed copper rivets -

Part 1

 

^that tab looks to be under the hidden rivet

 

[Dr_Heech]

Part 2

[Dr_Heech]

Thought l'd post my Csf 1941 model here as it fits in with the era. The original pair of 1941 s409xxx l ordered (36x36) back in 2017 had the black waistband stitching as in the above original example, but unfortunately would have been too small for me after hitting water.  When l later exchanged those for a size 38x36, the replacement pair didn't have that feature, which was a shame. Never mind, still some great details including two colours of thread throughout and that amazing denim

 

 

Edited May 7 by Dr_Heech

[Dr_Heech]

[Dr_Heech]

Shiniest buttons l've ever seen

[Dr_Heech]

Rounded hidden rivets. Must be copper coated iron, as all of the buttons and rivets on this pair attract a magnet

[Dr_Heech]

Edited April 14 by Dr_Heech

[Dr_Heech]

[Dr_Heech]

Apologies if the photos are too small or a bit blurry, but these are the only images of the rare 1937 Levi's 501XXC model in deadstock/nos condition that l've ever seen, so l thought l'd share here. I've also put an image in the original post explaining all the four different models on page one.

 

^mix of thread colours 

^copper and silver 1937 buckle

^The very first red tabs were smaller than 1940's tabs

^Copper Riveted and most notably, the C after 501XX 

^Interesting to note that the earliest model still sports the For over 60 years Guarantee ticket, along with the 1937 1st pocket flasher, which still states the denim weight as 10oz. Beautiful example. 

 

 

 

Edited September 5 by Dr_Heech
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