1951 USN Kapok Life Preserver

[Captainofthe7th]

Hi all-

 

I saw a 1951 dated kapok life vest in an antique shop today and I'm wondering if I should go back and buy it. It's one of those items that I don't need but it's pretty neat, so if the price is well below market value I can feel good about walking out with a deal. What is a good value for these and how common are they? I really can't find any information on them except for this one from an old auction.

 

 

 

Thanks,

 

Rob

[RustyCanteen]

This particular example is the earlier of the yoke type (used for troop transports) when kapok was still being used, between that and the date I would say it's value is about $40-60 to a collector of KW era and VN era navy items.

 

An almost identical looking preserver that did away with the kapok was used through the 60's when orange preservers became the norm, this one being 1951 is a nice dated example and they are not too common-but not really rare.

 

RC