stealthytyler Posted October 20, 2016 Author Share #26 Posted October 20, 2016 I have a slightly different take on this. Thank you for documenting the opening of this boxed item,you did a really great job for future reference! Did opening the box hurt the value? I don't know, maybe. But the collecting community gained an invaluable resource. Thank you. This was meant to be educational. Not much is online about these belts. I figured that someone would find it interesting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stealthytyler Posted October 20, 2016 Author Share #27 Posted October 20, 2016 It is important to note that this belt did not include C02 cartridges. I assume all belts from all manufacturers were shipped this way? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
P-40Warhawk Posted October 20, 2016 Share #28 Posted October 20, 2016 Here is a picture of my other belts C02 caps. Is this the early type you are talking about?? USN Flotation Belt.jpg Yes, these are scare and are usually all 1942 production pieces. About the only scarcer one might be the blue/gray belts which seem to be very hard to find. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stealthytyler Posted October 20, 2016 Author Share #29 Posted October 20, 2016 Yes, these are scare and are usually all 1942 production pieces. About the only scarcer one might be the blue/gray belts which seem to be very hard to find. Oh nice! Thanks for the info Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dustin Posted October 20, 2016 Share #30 Posted October 20, 2016 Might I interject something here, now I haven't made a study of these belts but am going to have to argue the fact about early versus late caps as been discussed here. The belt posted was manuafctured in November 1944 which is clearly stamped and seen in one of the images posted. Also that contract was awarded in August 1944. So those two facts places this item well past 1942 and based off that I do not think the caps are a viable dating system. On products such as inflatables they have a service life and were required by specifications to have a manufacture date, for example on these belts it MAY be required that they be removed from service 3 years after date of manufacture. Also these dates will establish the basis on which they will receive their semi-annual and annual inspections. The likely truth is that caps or castings were supplied by multiple sub contractors and is merely a manufacture variant. The gas cartridges would be supplied separately. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
P-40Warhawk Posted October 20, 2016 Share #31 Posted October 20, 2016 Dustin, the belt he posted at the start of the thread is not the same one he posted later one with the other caps. I don't disagree that it could be a sub-contractor variant, but all of those I have seen so far have been dated 1942. I agree about the later reinspection dates too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dustin Posted October 20, 2016 Share #32 Posted October 20, 2016 Oops, I see that now...my mistake! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stealthytyler Posted October 20, 2016 Author Share #33 Posted October 20, 2016 I will give my other belt a look and see if I can find a date tonight. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ronny67 Posted October 20, 2016 Share #34 Posted October 20, 2016 I would have just bought another minty belt to display next to the box. I always end up regretting permanently changing an item. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stealthytyler Posted October 20, 2016 Author Share #35 Posted October 20, 2016 I would have just bought another minty belt to display next to the box. I always end up regretting permanently changing an item. To each their own right? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doyler Posted October 21, 2016 Share #36 Posted October 21, 2016 Original box of C02 cylinders. Only 4 remain but are unused.Top of box is missing.I have a full box some place. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stealthytyler Posted October 21, 2016 Author Share #37 Posted October 21, 2016 Thank you for sharing, doyler!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doyler Posted October 21, 2016 Share #38 Posted October 21, 2016 Your welcome recounting there are 5 in the box Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wharfmaster Posted October 21, 2016 Share #39 Posted October 21, 2016 I would have opened it too. Well done, thanks for sharing. Wharf Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldabewla Posted October 21, 2016 Share #40 Posted October 21, 2016 I open WWII packages of 75 year old NOS Harley Davidsons motorcycle parts all the time and use them to restore my WWII WLA Harley Army motorcycle. Do I feel bad about it? yes in some ways but in order to get my WWII HOG back to life into WWII condition this is a must for me. In ways your dam if you do dam if you don't! I'm just glad some kid didn't get his hands on the belt and go swimming with it? It's still mint just out of the box to me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikie Posted October 21, 2016 Share #41 Posted October 21, 2016 There is an old saying, a book unopened is just a block of paper. How that applies here, I don't know. I probably would have opened it too. I'd do it carefully and be sure to document how it was packed just as you have done. Thanks for sharing. Mikie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stealthytyler Posted October 21, 2016 Author Share #42 Posted October 21, 2016 Next time I will try the steamer technique to remove the tape without cutting it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pmanton Posted October 22, 2016 Share #43 Posted October 22, 2016 I would have done the same. I just couldn't stand not opening it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lucky52 Posted October 29, 2016 Share #44 Posted October 29, 2016 Opening is fine,I am glad to see it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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