PLEASE NOTE: WE ARE IN THE OFFICE Through TUESDAY 09/16,
AFTER That Date, We Will Be OUT OF THE OFFICE from WEDNESDAY 09/17 until TUESDAY OCTOBER 7th!!
Ron Will Be OUT OF THE OFFICE from WEDNESDAY 09/10 until FRIDAY OCTOBER 10th!!
So there MAY be SHIPPING DELAYS on MILITARIA Orders Placed AFTER 09/10 through 10/10!!
BUT We Will DEFINITELY Be ABLE TO SHIP Orders Placed Through TUESDAY 09/09,
And MIGHT Be ABLE TO SHIP ORDERS Placed through MONDAY 09/15, But After That we CANNOT SHIP Until TUESDAY 10/07!!
Update 09/09/25: WE ARE STILL EXPERIENCING TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES WITH non-PayPal CREDIT CARD PURCHASES!!
BIG WEBSITE CHANGES are in the works and this Issue WILL BE CORRECTED sometime in OCTOBER!!
If you would like to PAY for an Artifact valued at OVER $100.00 with a CREDIT CARD, please email and I will get an invoice emailed to you ASAP!
We are HAPPY TO ACCEPT YOUR ORDERS during this time, and we will promptly SHIP MOST orders within ONE Business Day of Receipt of Payment!
And, as always, if you would like to fund your $100.00+ order through a Bank that offers ZELLE, ASK ABOUT our ZELLE DISCOUNT!!
That DISCOUNT also applies to PayPal GIFT (Fee-Free), Check, and Money Order payments!!
Thank you for visiting. We hope you will find some vintage artifacts here on our site to add to your collection.
We look forward to serving your collecting needs, 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.
