If you’re looking at this you probably know more about it than I do. From my end, here’s what I can tell you. I came across this particular item in a lot of vintage patches. The patch is definitely hand sewn per the looks of the back. Some details look different from other examples I’ve seen, namely the color of the 502 as well as radar wave details.
This is a fairly unique pair of Frye western boots. The Black Label inside the right shaft dates them to the 1970s and produced at the company’s Marlborough Massachusetts facility. The boots are quality constructed of thick split grain leather brushed just shy of a suede texture. Stacked leather heel with black rubber grip and leather sole. Ornate details are slight, there is a dark piping that runs up the sides of the boot and around the top. Unlike the Campus boot one often sees from Frye in this era, these boots have the narrow point toe and an angled, shorter leather heel. Like the campus boots these have the leather lined shaft and cloth lined vamp, leather foot bed and reinforcement in the back of the shaft to reduce pull-on wear.
Here is one heavily worn 1975 Bell Super Magnum three-quarter helmet. From what I can tell the Super Magnum is just a later variant of Bell’s original three-quarter helmet the 500-TX. In comparing helmets it seems the Super Magnum has a bit deeper of a side cut for better peripheral and probably had some updated safety features in the construction. This helmet does not feature any of the Toptex markings found on older Bell-Toptex helmets of the 1960s.
The Super Magnum is DOT and SHCA approved. This particular helmet would not be approved for much of anything safety related, except maybe taking a beer bottle over the head around a campfire.
This helmet has had some aftermarket stickers added, possibly by someone who raced in it at some point. 68 on both sides, blue reflective strips near the jaw line, and a Honda of Boulder, Colorado sticker on the back along with the original Bell front sticker and Super Magnum back. You can probably see from the pictures (and please examine them closely) this things been kicked around, banged on stuff, possibly crashed. On the riders left hand side, near the 6 the 8 and trailing off to the back there’s a series of three small chips that make it down to the foam core. Most other chips are just through the paint. On the back to the right of the Bell sticker there’s a patch of wear that looks like it was caused by some serious friction, like that of a tire. Inside all the soft protective foam is missing. The chin straps still hold tight, but the vinyl covering them is cracked and ratty. Marking on the strap is 7-75.
Currently available on the BCV eBay Store
The Bell -Toptex Shorty helmet debuted in the early 1960s and was popular among motorcyclist through the end of the decade. the low profile and light nature made it a perfect helmet for roaming the cities and country roads on Triumphs, Harleys and small displacement UJMs. The helmet was Snell Memorial Foundation approved, predating DOT ratings and was very similar in style to the Buco Guardian helmets of that day. The shell extends down to about the top of the ear and a vinyl collar in connection with the chin strap secure and protect the rider from excessive wind. A variety of visors and shields were available for the front.
Still trying to figure out the role of “Toptex” in Bell helmets of this era. Originally I figured Toptex simply referred to a shell material, but in patent documents, it seems the name of the company was actually named Bell-Toptex. It seems that in the 70s the company dropped Toptex from the name and or shell material.
These older Danner 30520 hiking boots are the bases for what is now known as the Mountain Light 30876. Though not called the mountain light, this version was made significantly lighter than the previous 6490 version primarily from the move to a Gore-tex lining and lighter sole material. Danner was an early adopter of the revolutionary Gore-TEX fabric which made its entrance into outdoor market in the mid 70s. A similar boots marked 3052 was also made, I’ve not yet determined what the extra 0 found here denotes
Much the same as the current Mountain Light these boots feature:
GORE-TEX lining
Vibram Soles
5 D-rings, 2 hook lace-up
Danner tri-fold tongue
5″ shaft
Are Made in the USA and Recraftable
Tongue Markings:
10 D 30520 23A233
Danner
Lee Riders, also known as the 101Z debuted in the 1950s and represent a transition from the company’s work wear history in to more casual, mass appeal wears.
On this particular pair the inside Tag is marked: Lee Riders Sanforized Waist 32 Union Made in the USA. The Button back is stamped: R. Zipper is made by Talon. Lee riveted front and coin pockets. “lazy S” stitched on rear pockets. The “branded” Lee patch is long gone. You’ll notice on Lees, unlike Levi’s the selvedge denim self edged appears on only one side of the outer seam.
As with most items from time and place predating the “throw-away age”, these jeans are well-worn and have been mended multiple times. There’s a bout a 4.5″ x 6″ patch on the right thigh. A 2″ x 3″ patch on the left side below the rear pocket. A hole and repair with red thread on the left knee, a small hole forming below the zipper on the right side front, and a 4″ hole in the left cheek with additional wear below. Some white paint and other darker stains. Round out the patina that only time can create.
This is one cool old Bell R-T helmet with a unique paint job. The Yellow and black appear to be part of a customization. The white around the perimeter and down the center was most likely the original color. The black striping is actually a decal of sorts and not paint. The color scheme and layout hearken the Yamaha YZ of that period and my explain why this particular helmet has extra snap heads have been added around the jaw area, perhaps for a face mask?
Sticker size 7 1/8 or 57cm in place as well as SHCA approval. Chin strap stamped BELL R-T 10-76.
Gerry Cunningham is arguably the father of light weight camping and that’s the slogan used on this 1960s single man tent. The company he founded lived light weight, innovation and quality and proudly displayed this on their products, books and in their marketing. “warmth without the weight” is another slogan displayed on products of this era.
This innovative-for-its day tent is constructed using piece-together aluminum poles, two front, and one rear. The poles do not use shock cords. Front poles fit into a looped cross member at front and grommets in the rear. The tent goes up easily, but is not free-standing like later dome tents so it’s staked down at the corners and with front and rear guy lines. Includes rain fly and has a front vestibule on the tent body making it good for three or four seasons depending on the type of climate the user was in.
It packs up small at just over 12 inches in length and weighing approximately 5 lbs. Constructed it measures approximately:
Solid built leather knickers by Meyer Schuchardt of Hamburg Germany. Constructed entirely of thick soft split grain leather with the split side facing in. Two pockets at the waist, one zipper closed rear pocket and a knife pocket on the side of the leg.
WWII era United States army Air Forces uniform A-1 shearling flight boots. The boots shown here are 10″ tall size XS and may actually be women’s boots. Other pairs I’ve seen were larger and the tongue tag read Mens instead of Wos. Not a war historian, but can’t imagine too many ladies donned these boots in those days. Crown Zippers with ankle and upper belts and buckles for added fit. Shearling lining runs throughout the uppers except for the sole. In each of these boots are two thick wool insoles as well as a wool foot bed. Don’t know if the added soles were standard issue or later additions by the wearer to increase warmth and or fit.
Bits of the US Air Forces logo still visible on the outside of the uppers, but most of the dark tanning has come off. These boots are of a similar era to the Type A-2 jacket seen on my blog, but a little later. The U.S. Army Air Forces became the U.S. Air Forces in 1947.
Tag reads:
OVERSHOE, FLYING, HEAVY, TYPE A-1
SPECIFICATION MIL-0-6540
SIZE………Wos XS 5-6 1/2
STOCK No. AF-8305
BRISTOLITE
U.S. PROPERTY
Basecamp Vintage & Archives 