Brian Keith Posted May 15, 2016 Share #1 Posted May 15, 2016 I found the USN life preserver at an antique mall at a reasonable price so I picked it up. I can’t see any of the date information, so am not sure when it was made or used. Being grey, seems to be a bit unusual, most I see are yellow. I’m thinking it is probably not an aviation vest, but regular shipboard use but this section of the forum seemed to be the best place to post it. The hardware looks to be WW II era. I bounced around the forum a bit and didn’t see one like this, so any information about this would be appreciated. Thanks for looking. BKW Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ronnie Posted May 16, 2016 Share #2 Posted May 16, 2016 I'm pretty sure it is a WWII preserver. I have one just like it. They don't sell for as much as the standard Mae West or the Navy kapok preserver. That's about all I know bout em....and that isn't much. Ronnie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doyler Posted May 16, 2016 Share #3 Posted May 16, 2016 Had a half dozen over the years.I recall mine were dated 44 or 45. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Keith Posted May 16, 2016 Author Share #4 Posted May 16, 2016 Thanks Doyler. BKW Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
northcoastaero Posted May 19, 2016 Share #5 Posted May 19, 2016 I believe that you are correct about the life vest being for shipboard use and possibly PT boats also? I have heard stories from other collectors that these blue vests may have been used by PBY Catalina crews, obtained from trading, etc. Some aircrews painted one side of their aviation life vest (Mark 1, B-4, etc.) blue to be camouflaged. I have seen many of the type of life vest that you have for sale by dealers. I just never did the full research on them. I believe there were two variations of the all blue life vests? Hope this helps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
P-40Warhawk Posted May 19, 2016 Share #6 Posted May 19, 2016 Yes, two types. One has the oral inflation tube on the outside. There are several wartime (and postwar) photos showing them in use on surface vessels. Including at least a few uses where it would have been super handy compared to the bulky kapoks; on sailors equipped with telephone talker sets. I do not think I have seen one dated before 1943, with 45 being the most common I have seen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Keith Posted May 21, 2016 Author Share #7 Posted May 21, 2016 Thanks guys for the additional information. This does have the oral inflation tubes in the folds between the air bladders. BKW Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BOLO Posted July 1, 2016 Share #8 Posted July 1, 2016 here's some I saw a while back at the antique mall Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BROBS Posted July 1, 2016 Share #9 Posted July 1, 2016 man, I would have tried a bulk deal on all of them! I've got a real nice one from Mr. Doyler Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bodes Posted July 1, 2016 Share #10 Posted July 1, 2016 I just bought one of the WW2 era non-inflatable USCG kapoks.....Interestingly enough under the company name there isn't any reference to a manufacturing date or USCG issuance....I guess the stamping either didn't take or perhaps an earlier version(?)....Figured I should buy it, because I just don't run into WW2 era flotation devices and this one is in pretty good shape...Bodes Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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