WWII AN6519-1 life vest, pneumatic in excellent condition, dated Sept 27, 1944.

 

Essentially the redesignated name for the B-4 life vest after the agreement between branches of service to co-operate with use of compatible equipment. This "mae west" life vest is in immpeccable condition, showing very little wear or any signs of use. Rubberized fabric is in flexible condition, clean and with all fittings.  Well marked with the homogenous "Property US Government" so that it might have been issued to the AAF, USN, USMC or Coast Guard - or indeed to US army paratroopers. This is the fully modified version of the B-4 with all additional straps in place. Hard to find in better condition.

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$275 / £210 / €235  email to secure this item

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Scarce early wartime RAF Parachute Bag. 

 

Scarce early issue RAF parachute bag, made from heavy khaki canvas with webbing reinforced straps and handles, heavy duty Lightning zip and large, crisp clear Air Ministry property mark on both sides.

Zip works well but needs to be treated with care. If pulled too quickly it will not catch all the teeth and not close properly - however, with care this can be remedied and I have successfully opened and closed it several times without any problem. All the teeth are present and the slide is smooth. There is one small area (about 1cm) where the fabric has separated but this does not affect the smooth operation of the zip slide. The bag is also named inside on one of the flaps to Sgt. C. Johnson with his serial number. Overall grubby, it would clean up well I'm sure, but that is up to the new owner. These things are better left as is in my opinion!

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ON HOLD

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WWII or early post war period commercial life vest probaby for passengers on commercial flights.

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Single chamber, blue grey rubberized fabric life preserver fitted with an auto-inflation mechanism as well as a top-up tube. Fastens by one webbing tape around the waist and one tie at the front. It looks like a cross between a German Luftwaffe issue vest and a USAAF issue B-5 but is marked Knapp and Monach, St. Louis, USA on the mechanism. No other markings that I can see. Lacks cartridge but in excellent, unused condition.

 

$55 / £44  / €50  email to secure this item

AAF Back Pack parachute "ripcord" comprising "D" ring and cable with release pins still attached.

 

Back Pack parachutes were used throughout the war, from 1942 onwards, by both fighter pilots and bomber crews, although they are thought of as somewhate scarce (and are certainly less common than either the seat pack or the clip-on chest pack). This ripcord comprises the D-ring handle with long cable and a series of 4 release pins, all of which are present. The handle is stamped AN 6571-1 with a W in a circle.

 

£20 / $25 / €24  Click to secure item