Belt Loops

[Books OToole]

I think we had this discussion a few months ago on The Frontier Spot, but here goes again.

A fellow member of the Kansas Vigilance Commitee was digging around on the history of Levi Strauss and his pants.  The official history of the famous jeans leads the reader to the conclusion that belt loops and stitching on the rear poctets dates from the 1870s.

Can anyone verify or refute such a conclusion?

Books

[O.T. Buchannan]

Books, I will have to dig out my info....I actually did a study on it, and in fact, included the info in an article on trousers.  While Levi's themselves are nothing new (going back to approx. 1849-50 or so), the belt loops themselves were not a part of the jeans until approx. WWI or so....

Once again, I don't have all of the info in front of me, but my last research says this.  Someone else, however, may have different info.......

[Books OToole]

I just got word from a friend of mine that is the currator of the Frontier Army Museum at Ft. Leavenworth.  He says that the army does not put belt loops on uniforms until 1902.

Books

[St. George]

We did have this conversation on TFS - and again here in CAS City's 'Historical Society' forum...

A couple of them - in fact.

If you like - I can double-post - but you can just as easily look for yourself.

For the Army - trouser loops weren't a part of the issued clothing until the advent of the M1903/04 uniform's changes.
Often - you'll find the small 'frame' buckle made by Mills and dated '04.

Levi didn't put belt loops on their trousers until the turn of the century - and that goes as well for the second rear pocket.

The Orange stitching, Indigo dye, Copper rivets, Oilcloth identifying 'ticket' and Leather label all were in use in 1870 - and were patented or copyrighted until about 1908.

Let me know if you want a re-post.

Vaya,

Scouts Out!

[Bristow Kid]

So if I baught a pair of Levi's and remover one rear pocket(which one was original?)  and the belt loops and added suspender buttons(or were they copper rivets?)  Would those then be NCOWS legal if I was portraying a cowboy of the 1880's??

[St. George]

Buy a pair of Levi 501's - with the button fly.

Don't wash them.

Remove the little tag on the rear pocket - remove the Left rear pocket and the trouser loops and add plain suspender buttons.

You can buy those suspender buttons at any good Fabric Shop.

The Copper Rivets were for strengthening wear points.

Now - once everything's been assembled and all threads removed - wash them in cold and wear them.

Vaya,

Scouts Out!

[Surly Bob]

Is that decorative stitching I see on the right rear pocket?   
So I guess it would be period correct?

[Steel Horse Bailey]

Bob, that surly (Pun alert! ) looks like decorative stitching to me!

Wranglers came on the scen not long after, and I b'lieve they were about the same - right hand rear pocket with extra stitching.  They mention that those jeans probably sold for about $1.25 at the time.  What they DIDN'T mention is that those particular ones (if I remember rightly) were over $40,000.00 !!!  40 K!  What a bargain!!