A Denim Rarity

Just wanted to throw up some pics of a potentially rare piece of denim that I copped from TJMaxx of all places. From a bit of research it is a pair of Levi's 646 Bell Bottoms. Apparently, LVC released a repro of this cut (originally produced from '66 - '83 or so) beginning in their 2006 line. The denim feels raw (untreated) although the tag mentions that only 3% shrinkage should occur on washing. I'm putting these photos up in case anyone has any information about the pair.

Note the Orange Tab, with a Capital E, as was found only on runs between '66 and '71. Also it was one of the few Levi's to not sport the classic leather/paper tag on the back of the waistband, and it lacks a 5th coin pocket in the front. I'm posting some of these images on Styleforum.net to see if I get any hits and any additional information regarding history and production. And, frankly, if they're worth keeping, I might just have another pair of raw denim to break in.

Albeit EXTREMELY dated. Bell Bottoms? C'mon.

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Edit as of 7/16/10

Found out from Pablo-T on Styleforum.net that Levi's themselves issued a reproduction of the '66 646 a year or two ago that they originally went between $130-$150. Apparently, it was not through Levi's Vintage Clothing as I suspected. But thanks to him for the info and clarification.

Edit as of 7/16/10

Further posting and searching has resulted that the 646's are in fact LVC from 2005-06. Shorty Long @ Styleforum.net made my month!!!! Now back to the store to proxy for other SF buyers.

http://www.styleforum.net/showthread.php?t=129454&page=30