Our Heritage
Explore 160 years of Duck Head history
1865
Nashville brothers George and Joe O'Bryan repurposed surplus army tent material to make work pants. Due to scarcity of supplies, enduring quality was a necessity.
1906
The brothers both being avid outdoorsmen, the heavy canvas material, also known as "Duck," felt right as their company moniker. After failed attempts to register "Duck," with the U.S. Trademark Office, they added "Head," complete with a mallard logo.
1941
Duck Head produced various work clothing such as overalls and denim jackets. The production was held to such high regard, they were commissioned to produce uniforms for millions of American soldiers during World War II.
1949
Hank Williams Sr. became Duck Head's first brand ambassador sponsoring his Drifting Cowboys Grand Ole Opry show. Duck Head had unique connection HSW, because his hometown of Georgiana, Alabama was home to one of Duck Head's retailers W.H. Morgan & Sons.
1978
Duck Head again took a chance on surplus fabric buying 10,000 yards of 100% cotton fabric from a local mill. Polyester was king, so no one wanted the cotton twill known as “chino”. The VP of Sales, Dave Baseheart, researched an original pattern and applied the gold mallard logo over the back pocket. Baseheart’s first sales call took him to Oxford, Mississippi where Duck Head was quickly discovered by students at Ole Miss. The pant became so synonymous with khaki chinos that many thought all khakis were called “Duck Heads”.
1993
Duck Head launched the iconic "Can't Get Them Old 'Til You Get Them New" campaign featuring authentic worn in khakis borrowed from University of Georgia students.
2018
In 2018, Duck Head introduced the Gold School Chino, honoring its rich heritage while paving the way for a new assortment of clothing designed for the Social Sportsman.
2025
We're celebrating this historic milestone with events and a limited-edition capsule collection featuring nostalgic pieces inspired by our storied past, remixed for today. While our iconic Mallard has evolved over the years, our commitment to classic, enduring apparel remains unchanged. Join us as we usher in the next generation of Duck Head.