AIRBORNE FIRST AID HELMET PACKS?

[bldrhouse]

are either of these WWII issue?

 

thanks!

 

z

[6th.MG.BN]

Second one looks OK, looking at the one picture.

Ken

[Persian Gulf Command]

The first one is not correct. I don't believe the second is original as well but would need to see a better coloe-up of the water proof material and the heating seams along both ends to confirm my suspicions.

[bldrhouse]

Men,

 

Thank you. These are photos from the auction site, so no way to get better or closer images.

 

z

[Bodes]

Originals contained rectangular shaped containers.....One for the dressing, one for the syrette....I cannot make out the appropriate flatness of the dressing box with clarity in either pouch....So based solely on the single photo of each, I'd be cautious about originality....Bodes

[Allan H.]

I'm with Bodes on these. I am not a fan of either one of them.

 

Allan

[bldrhouse]

THANKS! Too easy to get excited and then be sorry...

 

 

can someone post some pix of an original for future info?

 

z

[ken88]

Here's a picture of the one I have. Unfortunately it's not in the best condition but it is an original. Look for the details...

 

[bldrhouse]

thank you, and fine photos!

 

z

[ken88]

No problem...

 

To further help in discerning authentic kits, here's a blatant fake on eBay, sold as original.

 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/113996992786

 

This is probably one that was made by The Rigger Depot, then aged by someone in the hopes of making a quick dollar. This is a mighty fine reproduction and may easily be mistaken for the real thing once it has been aged.

 

Buyer, beware.

[WWII Parachutist]

Quite similar to ours, but not actually The Rigger Depot reproduction. Slightly different material and construction. For reference, here is what ours look like. When used and aged, our repros do look original though.

www.theriggerdepot.com/parachute-first-aid-packet-2nd-version

[bldrhouse]

I emailed the ebay seller above and asked for provenance; has offered more pix and to see it if I am local.

be interesting to see what he says..

 

I'm not buying it, but like to bust fakes.

z

[Persian Gulf Command]

Here are a few photos of my correct WW2 kit. Notice the "bleeding" of the heated rubber often seen on the bottom seam. You can also observe the weave of the material used for correct kits.

[Persian Gulf Command]

More:

[Persian Gulf Command]

More:

[Persian Gulf Command]

Kit and contents:

[Persian Gulf Command]

Here is another photo of the seam and good detail of the material, which I consider an important indicators of an original Parachute First Aid Kit:

 

Note: this is a photo from my file > I do not possess this item.

[bldrhouse]

I really appreciate all you who share your knowledge, experience and collections.

 

the eBay seller says his item came from the estate of some former military man, but have not further replied.

 

Have you all looked carefully at the other images of the stitching and details of edges?

 

z

[firefighter]

How much value is knocked off if you open a kit that ends up being original?

[Bodes]

How much value is knocked off if you open a kit that ends up being original?

25-30%....Bodes

[firefighter]

25-30%....Bodes

Thank you. I actually thought it would be more, still a chunk though.

[SeaDog30]

Here are a few photos of my correct WW2 kit. Notice the "bleeding" of the heated rubber often seen on the bottom seam. You can also observe the weave of the material used for correct kits.

Are the originals waterproof? I always thought they were made of the same material like the map purse fabric but your original looks more like fabric. Thanks for the great info!

[Persian Gulf Command]

These Parachute First Aid Kits were made of a Water Proof textile. The cloth had a latex (rubber) coating on the interior side. This latex would have made the cloth water proof. However, unlike other waterproof material such as poncho material these Kits were designed to be torn open for easy access of the contents. A rain proof poncho was designed to be rip resistant so the weave of the material was tighter and stronger. This is why the repro Kits made of old poncho material can be distinguished from original Parachute First Aid Kits.

I checked my Map Purse and the material also has a latex coating but the textile has a slightly tighter weave than that of the First Aid Kit. Here are two photos of each with the Parachute First Aid Kit on the left and the Map Purse on the right.

[Persian Gulf Command]

Second comaprison First Aid Kit/Map Purse:

[dustin]

Crude rubber and especially latex were critical war materials and were not used in the manuafcture of these kits nor ponchos and most all waterproofed goods. The rubberized type membrane you are seeing is often simply referred to as Plasticized. Technically, these parachute kits and most all other items you see with the rubber like membrane is a Vinyl Chloride-Acetate Copolymer, or Vinylite to keep it short. A synthetic waterproofing method. The parachute packets were constructed of a woven cotton print cloth, dyed with a waterfast olive drab. Then plasticized on one side.

Money Purses (Evasion & Escape) were treated the same way.

Resident inspectors would test for waterproofing by submerging the sealed kits in warm water for four hours, then open. All contents were required to be dry upon opening for inspection, then that lot would be passed.