Levi's · 501 · 1971 to the mid-1980s
In 1971 the red tab went lowercase, and the 501s made from then into the mid-1980s are the small e redlines. They're still cut from Cone Mills selvedge with a red line on the outseam and sewn in American plants, and now they carry a care label and a factory number on the back of the top button. The earlier pairs are the ones to want. Back pocket hems were single stitched until about 1976–1978 and chain stitched after, and the lemon yellow thread of the 60s had mostly given way to orange. In 1981 the care label's shrinkage note went from about 8% to about 10%. Around 1984 Cone moved to wide looms and the selvedge ended, so a small e pair without the red line is mid-80s or later. For a classic vintage fade that doesn't need a museum budget, a single-stitch redline is the sweet spot.
Date it from the photos
Reissues and repros
Levi's Vintage Clothing reissued a 1978 501 in 2008, and Superfuture's guide points out it uses the wrong patch for the era. A Made in USA care label with a period date code and a matching factory number on the button is what a 1970s original looks like.
If you’ll wear it
This is the vintage 501 to wear hard. It fades like the older pairs and you can live with repairs.
If you’ll collect it
Early single-stitched pairs with a readable care label and a crisp red line sell for more. Deadstock with the paper patch intact is the find.
Small e redlines were sold shrink-to-fit, and the care label promised roughly 8% shrinkage, later 10%, so a washed pair measures well under its tag. Get the waist measured flat and doubled, the front rise, the thigh and the inseam. The 1970s cut tapers from a full thigh, so check the leg opening too.
New to measuring old denim? Our measuring guide shows where to put the tape.
Measurements first, then the details
Look for crotch blowouts, knee holes and worn hem rolls, and expect the red line to have faded toward pink or white on a heavily washed pair. Darned crotches and a replaced belt loop are fine to wear, but a cut-off tab hurts the value.
Buying guide
For a small e redline to wear, we'd take the pair titled 1978 that a US seller measures at 31.5x32.5 (tagged 34x38), at $329 delivered. There are at least 88 for sale and most ask $300–525 delivered, and 11 of the 30 we sorted ship from Japan, most with $32–82 postage on top. Ask for the outseam turned out at the hem to see the red line, and for the back pocket hems, since single stitching there points to the early and mid-1970s. These were shrink-to-fit, so trust the waist measured flat and doubled, the rise, inseam and leg opening over the tag. Skip the 1982 W25 L29 that two Japanese sellers list under the same title, and the pairs from zero-feedback sellers.
$157.03est. delivered
The lowest delivered pair right now, a UK auction for a 36x30 redline with a question mark over single stitch, and it already has 9 bids. We'd stop near $300 delivered, the bottom of the band, and check the back pocket hems in the photos.
Vintage Levi's 501 'E' 36w, 30l. Selvedge (redline) Single-stitch?
$328.50est. delivered
Titled 1978 with a measured 31.5x32.5 against a 34x38 tag, below the middle of the band. Ask for both sides of the care label to back up the date.
Vintage Levi's Levi Strauss 501 1978 Redline Selvedge Jeans 34x38 Act 31.5x32.5
$217.00est. delivered
A common W33 L33, titled 80s and made in USA with the red line, at $217 delivered from Japan, under the band. Check the photos for the red line at the outseam and ask for the waist laid flat.
Vintage Levi's 501 80s USA Made Selvedge Redline Indigo Faded W33 L33
$400.00delivered
Titled 1970s with a factory 6 on the button, the number El Paso used before 524, and it ships free. Check the back pocket hems for single stitching and the care label for its shrinkage note.
vintage 1970s Levi's 501 selvedge redline jeans factory 6 size 30" x 28"
Delivered prices include shipping as eBay quoted it to a US address on Oct 11, 2026. Many sellers charge by distance, so your total may differ. eBay shows yours before you pay.
Snapshot
Checked . Some may have sold.
Delivered prices include shipping as eBay quoted it to a US address on Oct 11, 2026. Many sellers charge by distance, so your total may differ. eBay shows yours before you pay.
Used$157.03est. delivered
$129.01 + $28.02 shipping
Auction · 9 bids · ends in 7h 56m
Good buy
UK auction, 9 bids. Titled single-stitch with a question mark.
Seller: rayorchard
100% positive
Used$328.50est. delivered
$320.00 + $8.50 shipping
Buy It Now$320.00
Good buy
Titled 1978, measured 31.5x32.5 (tag 34x38).
Seller: wisteriarefoundry
100% positive
Used$217.00est. delivered
$205.00 + $12.00 shipping
Buy It Now$205.00
Good buy
Titled 80s USA made, W33 L33. Under the band.
Seller: yume.shop24
100% positive
Used$400.00delivered
$400.00 · free shipping
Buy It Now$400.00
Good buy
Titled 1970s, factory 6, 30x28. Ships free.
Seller: swansongvtg
100% positive
Used$257.09est. delivered
$250.00 + $7.09 shipping
Buy It Now$250.00
This seller takes offers, and many sellers accept less than the asking price.
Fine if you might miss it? Send an offer first. Someone else can still buy it while you wait for a reply.
Want it for sure? Use Buy It Now.
Our take
Titled single stitch and distressed, 31x32. Check the damage in the photos.
Seller: mamel1648
100% positive
Used$190.80est. delivered
$158.80 + $32.00 shipping
Buy It Now$158.80
Check the seller
Same title as another Japan seller's W25 L29. Compare the photos.
Seller: botuku-jpn
99.1% positive
Used$386.30est. delivered
$375.00 + $11.30 shipping
Buy It Now$375.00
This seller takes offers, and many sellers accept less than the asking price.
Fine if you might miss it? Send an offer first. Someone else can still buy it while you wait for a reply.
Want it for sure? Use Buy It Now.
Check the seller
Titled 80's, 29x32. The seller has zero feedback.
Seller: garciricar_n0vnek
No feedback yet
Used$866.00est. delivered
$788.00 + $78.00 shipping
Buy It Now$788.00
This seller takes offers, and many sellers accept less than the asking price.
Fine if you might miss it? Send an offer first. Someone else can still buy it while you wait for a reply.
Want it for sure? Use Buy It Now.
Priced high
Titled 70s single stitch, W34. Over twice the band median, from a 94.4% seller.
Seller: fujimarket
94.4% positive
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