Levi's · 519 · 1970s–1990s on the vintage market
There was never a Levi's 519 carpenter pant. The 519 is Levi's classic corduroy jean, a slim, straight five-pocket cut that Japanese vintage shops treat as the Levi's cord to own. Older pairs carry the white tab Levi's reserved for corduroy, have plain back pockets with no arcuate stitching and skip the waistband patch. Dealers compare the line to a 505 and say it looks cleaner than a 501. The color range is huge, from brown, navy, beige and gray to sax blue and dark green, and dealers put the subtle shade differences down to color codes, not fading. Levi's made a small number in denim too. US production ended in the late 1990s with the plant closures, which is why Made in USA cords are the ones people want. Buy a US-made pair with a Talon zip in a color you like, and go by the measurements.
Date it from the photos
Reissues and repros
Levi's later used the 519 number on a skinny jean, so a stretch 519 isn't the vintage cord. Look for corduroy, a white tab and MADE IN USA.
If you’ll wear it
A US-made 1980s pair in brown, navy or gray is the everyday buy and goes with almost anything.
If you’ll collect it
Rare colors and 1970s pairs with a Talon 42 zip are the ones collectors chase.
The 519 is a slim straight cut, cleaner than a 501 and closer to a 505, so the thigh measurement tells you most about fit. Ask for the waist flat and doubled, inseam, front rise, thigh and leg opening rather than trusting the tag.
New to measuring old denim? Our measuring guide shows where to put the tape.
Measurements first, then the details
Cords wear bald at the knees, seat and pocket edges, and the back pocket corners rub. Ask for close photos of those spots; light wear is fine on a pair you'll wear.
Buying guide
For a 519 cord to wear, we'd take the gray pair a US seller titles made in USA with a fit of 36x31 (tagged 38x32), at $58 delivered. There are at least 179 for sale and most ask $40–75 delivered, in brown, gray, blue, green, red and tan, while two Japanese dealers ask $176–277 delivered for theirs. Look for the white tab, plain back pockets with no arcuate, a Talon 42 zip on older pairs and 519 with MADE IN USA on the inside tag, and skip anything stretch or skinny, which is Levi's later 519 jean. The 519 is slim, so the thigh decides the fit. Ask for it with the waist flat and doubled, the inseam and the leg opening, and check the knees and seat for bald wale. The $18 gray pair at the bottom doesn't show seller feedback on the card, so check it on the item page.
$17.97est. delivered
The lowest delivered 519 here, titled 80s gray with a white tab and made in USA. The 24-inch inseam is short enough that it's likely been cut, so it only works if that length suits you.
VINTAGE 80s Levi's Corduroy Pants Mens 36x24 Gray White Tab USA Made 519 Jeans
$58.04est. delivered
Titled made in USA and excellent used condition, with a fit of 36x31 on a 38x32 tag, inside the band. Ask for the thigh laid flat and a photo of the inside tag.
VTG Levi’s 519 Straight Leg Corduroy Pants Men’s 38x32 (Fits 36x31) Gray USA EUC
$46.02est. delivered
Titled 1981 in brown with a white tab and a Talon zip, a common 34x32, Buy It Now. Brown is the everyday 519, so just check the waist flat and the thigh.
Vintage 1981 Levi’s 519 Corduroy Pants Brown 34x32 70s Style 80s White Tab Talon
$80.13est. delivered
Green with a Talon 42, a #3 button and a white tab, titled 70s and made in USA, so it has the rarer color and the 1970s Talon zip collectors chase. It asks a little over the band, so ask for the inside tag to confirm 519.
Vtg 70s Levi’s 519 Green Corduroy Pants 32x30 Talon 42 Button #3 White Tab USA
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$17.97est. delivered
$12.07 + $5.90 shipping
Buy It Now$12.07
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.
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Good buy
Titled 80s gray, white tab, USA, 36x24. Short inseam.
Seller: Seller on eBay
Check feedback on the listing
Used$58.04est. delivered
$49.95 + $8.09 shipping
Buy It Now$49.95
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.
Good buy
Gray, made in USA, fits 36x31 (tag 38x32).
Seller: kles_83
100% positive
Used$46.02est. delivered
$39.99 + $6.03 shipping
Buy It Now$39.99
Good buy
Titled 1981 brown, white tab, Talon, 34x32.
Seller: chrissycew
100% positive
Used$80.13est. delivered
$75.00 + $5.13 shipping
Buy It Now$75.00
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.
Good buy
Titled 70s green, Talon 42, #3 button, 32x30.
Seller: trendsetterbutbetter
100% positive
Used$26.98est. delivered
$16.99 + $9.99 shipping
Buy It Now$16.99
Our take
Titled 80s beige tan, Talon 42, 36x30.
Seller: tomtrco
100% positive
Used$47.69est. delivered
$34.99 + $12.70 shipping
Buy It Now$34.99
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
519 1523 brown, white tab, Talon 42, 34x34.
Seller: ragar-30
100% positive
Used$54.95delivered
$54.95 · free shipping
Buy It Now$54.95
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
Red, titled 80s, 36x34. Ships free.
Seller: bfg4days_7
99.9% positive
Used$277.26est. delivered
$247.26 + $30.00 shipping
Buy It Now$247.26
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 1984 gray, W36. From Japan, over five times the band median.
Seller: tosmiya21
100% positive
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