Wrangler · Bib overall · 1920s to the 1950s and later (Super Big Ben from 1936)
Long before Wrangler, Blue Bell made overalls. C. C. Hudson started the Hudson Overall Company in Greensboro, North Carolina, in 1904, and the business became Blue Bell in 1919. On New Year's Day 1926 Big Ben Manufacturing of Kentucky bought it, and the merged company kept the Blue Bell name and its Greensboro base. In 1936 it launched Super Big Ben overalls in fully Sanforized denim that kept its size after washing. By the late 1940s Blue Bell called itself the world's largest maker of work clothes, and its bib overalls came with interlocking seams, steel-hubbed buttons and a bib length matched to each waist size. There was no pre-merger overall line as such, and Blue Bell kept making overalls after it launched Wrangler in 1947. The ones to hunt are 1930s Big Ben and Super Big Ben pairs with their labels intact.
Date it from the photos
If you’ll wear it
A 1950s or later pair is a usable work overall. Buy it on measurements and condition.
If you’ll collect it
Big Ben and Super Big Ben labels from the 1930s are the ones to find, ideally with matching buttons and the original straps.
Overalls need more than a waist size. Blue Bell sold its bibs by waist with a matching bib length, so ask for the waist measured across the back, the inseam, the height from the waistband to the top of the bib, and how much adjustment is left in the straps. Sanforized pairs from 1936 on won't shrink much more, but decades of wear and washing still move them off the tag.
New to measuring old denim? Our measuring guide shows where to put the tape.
Measurements first, then the details
Expect worn knees, frayed cuffs, paint and stretched or broken strap ends. Patched knees and replaced buckles are fine on a pair you'll work in, but a collector wants the original buttons and hardware.
Buying guide
For a working pair of bibs, we'd take the Big Ben hickory stripe railroad overall in a 38 regular at $46 delivered, the one with the most character near the median. There are at least 76 for sale and most ask $35–55 delivered, nearly all Big Ben denim bibs from US sellers, and most are later pairs. The 1930s Big Ben and Super Big Ben pairs with labels intact are the ones collectors chase, and older pairs like the 50s Blue Bell here ask far more. A sewn-in care tag means 1971 or later, and a Sanforized mark fits 1936 on. Bibs need more than a waist size, so get the waist across the back, the inseam, the bib height and the strap adjustment from the photos or the seller. Skip the 44x30 (fits 42x29) title that two sellers list.
$36.33est. delivered
The lowest ask at $36 delivered, Big Ben bibs in a 40x34 titled Made in USA. Ask for the bib height and strap adjustment, since the waist alone won't tell you the fit.
Men’s Big Ben Overalls Bibs Denim 40x34 Made In USA
$46.00est. delivered
A Big Ben hickory stripe railroad bib in a men's 38 regular, at $46 delivered, right at the median. Check the label and buttons in the photos to see how old it is.
Vintage Big Ben Overalls Men 38 Reg Blue Hickory Stripe Bibs Carpenter Railroad
$36.90est. delivered
Big Ben bibs in a 36x32, titled dark rinse and 100% cotton, at $37 delivered. Get the bib height and inseam from the photos or the seller and it's an easy first pair.
BIG BEN 100% Cotton 36 X 32 Dark Rinse Bib Overalls
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$36.33est. delivered
$30.00 + $6.33 shipping
Buy It Now$30.00
Good buy
Big Ben, 40x34, Made in USA.
Seller: softballer99
100% positive
Used$46.00est. delivered
$40.00 + $6.00 shipping
Buy It Now$40.00
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
Hickory stripe railroad bib, men's 38 regular.
Seller: leonardsdad14
100% positive
Used$36.90est. delivered
$24.95 + $11.95 shipping
Buy It Now$24.95
Good buy
Big Ben, 36x32, dark rinse.
Seller: jonboy725
100% positive
Used$44.98est. delivered
$34.99 + $9.99 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
Big Ben carpenter bib, 44x32, USA.
Seller: trakel_26
99.9% positive
Used$45.97est. delivered
$32.97 + $13.00 shipping
Buy It Now$32.97
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
Big Ben, 32x32, titled 90s USA.
Seller: purgingrampage
99.8% positive
Used$42.37est. delivered
$34.85 + $7.52 shipping
Buy It Now$34.85
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
Two sellers list this same title. Compare photos before buying.
Seller: featheredfox1
100% positive
Used$121.53est. delivered
$111.75 + $9.78 shipping
Buy It Now$111.75
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 1960s Big Ben Pennys hickory stripe, size M. Over twice the median.
Seller: hunting_horizons
100% positive
Used$272.52est. delivered
$265.00 + $7.52 shipping
Buy It Now$265.00
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 50s Blue Bell Sanforized, 34x28. About six times the median.
Seller: laborersdeparture
99.4% positive
Prices change daily. The live eBay search shows everything listed now, including anything new since Oct 11, 2026.
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