Impressive pair of gold-colored trousers made for astronaut Rusty Schweickart during training exercises for the Skylab 2 mission at the Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas. The trousers are made of woven Durette material and feature metal snaps and Velcro belt cinches to waist and pockets, zippers to front, side and cargo pockets, and removable lower pant sections; the manufacturing tags to inner waist, which have been crossed over in red felt tip, are marked as follows: “Trouser Assy, P/N: SEB13100142-301 (302), S/N: 1047, Crewman: Schweickart, Contract No: NAS9-8309, Date of Mfg: 4-7-72, Mfg By: Welson & Co, Inc.” and “Shorts, P/N: SEB13100142-718 (721), S/N: 1047, Crewman: Schweickart.” In fine condition, with expected wear from use.
Trousers like these were later used as part of the Skylab crews' in-orbit wardrobe. The full ensemble included a matching jacket, short-sleeve knit shirt, and soft fabric ankle-boots, all of which were made of the comfortable, fire-resistant woven Durette fabric. A hidden zipper below knee area also allowed the custom-fit trousers to convert easily from pants to shorts. An exceptional pair of trousers made for the backup commander of the first manned Skylab mission.
