Welcome to FLYING TIGER ANTIQUES & Vintage Historical Artifacts!!! !!
UPDATE: MONDAY August 18th 2025: The FLYING TIGER ANTIQUES Crew will be BACK IN THE OFFICE Shipping Out Orders and Listing NEW Artifacts Daily as of TUESDAY 08/19!!!
We will be IN THE OFFICE, and we will be busy PACKING All the ORDERS we Received Over the Past 2 Weeks, Thank you all VERY MUCH!!
We will be IN THE OFFICE for the foreseeable future through Early September!!
Unfortunately we are STILL experiencing non-PayPal Credit Card Issues: working hard at fixing this!
So if you would like to PAY for a $100.00 or more Artifact with a CREDIT CARD, please Call or Email and I will get an invoice emailed to you ASAP, or Process the Purchase Myself!!
Meanwhile, we are busy packing orders and Pricing New Historical Artifacts for our Many COLLECTORS!!!
So, NOW is the TIME to ORDER that wonderful ARTIFACT that you've had your eye on, as it will SHIP within 24 to 48 Hours of Receipt of Payment, but USUALLY Same Day!
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That DISCOUNT also applies to PayPal GIFT (Fee-Free), Check, and Money Order purchases!!
Thank you for visiting. We hope you will find some vintage artifacts here on our site to add to your collection.
Happy Collecting, Ron & Kanae
ARTIFACT:
Great, 1943 dated United States Army Air Forces "Mae West" Type B-4 Survival Vest life jacket complete and supple. This example was produced by Firestone Co. and reads: "VEST: LIFE PRESERVER, TYPE B4 SPECIFICATION NO. 94-3135 DATE OF MFR. DEC 17 1943 STOCK NO 8300-978200 ORDER NO. W-33–092–TC289 THE FIRESTONE R. & L. PROD. CO. PROPERTY AIR FORCES, U.S. ARMY". The preserver is equipped with its original black rubber inflation hoses and two CO2 bottles attached to the vest with cords for inflation. It also features an adjustable, heavy canvas waist strap and one that secures the jacket through the legs, with steel closure.
VINTAGE:
Circa 1943.
SIZE:
Approximately 26-3/4" x 11".
MATERIALS / CONSTRUCTION:
Rubberized cloth, rubber, steel, canvas, ink, Bakelite, rope
ATTACHMENT:
To be worn
MARKINGS:
"VEST: LIFE PRESERVER, TYPE B4 SPECIFICATION NO. 94-3135 DATE OF MFR. DEC 17 1943 STOCK NO 8300-978200 ORDER NO. W-33–092–TC289 THE FIRESTONE R. & L. PROD. CO. PROPERTY AIR FORCES, U.S. ARMY", "e;F169"e;
ITEM NOTES:
This is from a USAAF collection which we will be listing more of over the next few months. MEJX16 LBGEX8/16 psBIEX8/16 SBIEX06/28/20
CONDITION:
8+ (Excellent): The preserver shows minor to moderate wear, there is a small spot of separation under the neck (see photo) the parts of the life vest are complete and materials remain supple, overall excellent condition.
GUARANTEE: As with all my artifacts, this piece is guaranteed to be original, as described.
