This is 501 made in May 1975, and one with a top button back engraving of 16. The one with a button back engraving of 16 is said that the old fabric is used compared with other early 66 models, and it is popular. Also, in terms of detailing, the 16 engraved one differs from the other 66-single models in many ways.
About 90% of the color remains. The silhouette is tapered from around the thighs, but may be custom to a greater degree than normal.
paper patch
The patches are unchanged from the 66 models except for the 16 mark. There is a perforation mark on the far right, which may have originally been a tear-off tag.
inner tag
As with the 66 models, except for the 16 engraving, there is a note of caution in washing and an 8% shrinkage rate.
inner tag
"5 75 16" is listed, indicating that it was made at factory #16 in May 1975.
back pocket
Almost square back pocket. Even arcuate stitching on the left and right. The stitches are all orange except for the stitching that fastens the patch.
back pocket (back)
Single stitching on the back of the back pocket.
red tab
Small E, uneven V embroidery tabs.
top button
A button with a small pitter-patter between the letters.
front button
Except for the top button, there are three buttons.
fly button
The fly button is no different from the other 66 models. A button with a small pitter-patter between the letters.
top button (back)
The engraving on the back of the top button is "16". The stitching above the waistbelt is chain stitch and the parallel stitching across the top button.
rivet
Plated iron rivets.
rivet (back)
The back of the rivet is made of aluminum.
coin pocket (back)
It is usually stitched with chain stitch from BIG E, but it is stitched with single stitch on the 16 mark. Often the selvedge is used, but this one is not.
crotch
It has a bar tack to match the U-shaped stitching.
outseam, selvedge
Due to damage to the hem at the time of purchase, the damaged area has been cut and hemmed up and is not original. The red ears have faded to pink.
outseam
The outseam is a single stitch on the Big E, and the chain stitch on the 66 models and onwards, but this one with the 16 mark is a single stitch, even though it is 66 single model.
fabric
The color is still there, and it's hard to tell if there's a difference from other 66 single models in terms of the vertical fall-off feeling. The color is a bit darker than the lighter, more bluish 66 model.
| size | waist |
seat | front rise | back rise | thigh | inseam | opening | total length |
| W28/L32 | 26 | 40 | 10.5 | 13.5 | 11 | 29 | 7 | 38 |