{"product_id":"original-u-s-wwii-usaaf-pilot-type-c-1-emergency-sustenance-vest-with-partial-contents-very-rare","title":"Original U.S. WWII USAAF Pilot Type C-1 Emergency Sustenance Vest with Partial Contents - Very Rare","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal Item: Only One Available. This is a partially complete original U.S. WWII Army Air Forces Type C-1 Emergency Sustenance Vest retaining a substantial assortment of its original or period-correct survival contents. Designed for aircrew forced down in remote areas, the C-1 combined a one-size adjustable olive drab vest with a network of specifically designated pockets for food, signaling equipment, first aid items, tools, water storage, protective clothing, and other survival necessities. This example retains its full manufacturer label identifying Sears, Roebuck and Co. of Philadelphia with manufacture by Reliance Mfg. Co. of Chicago, together with many of the kit items that would originally have been carried in the vest.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe C1 was issued in one size but was adjustable through three ties at the back and was intended to be worn under the mae west life vest, body armor and the parachute harness, but over the uniform and A2 leather jacket. This however, proved to be too cumbersome when worn in some theaters of operation when all the survival equipment was carried so a modified musette bag that attached to the parachute harness upon bailout was developed. After landing, the crew member could then remove and wear the vest.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a very good partially complete example of the C-1 survival vest, with many of the pockets filled with the correct contents. The original data tag is retained inside, reading:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eVEST, EMERGENCY SUSTENANCE\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eTYPE C-1\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eSPEC. NO. 3206\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eORDER NO. W33-038-AC 6640\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eSEARS, ROEBUCK AND CO.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePHILADELPHIA, PA.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eMFD. BY RELIANCE MFG. CO. CHICAGO, ILL.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePROPERTY A.F. U.S. ARMY\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eContents are the C1 vest varied on area of deployment. These are the contents of this vest:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e- Waterproof match case with compass in original box, contract dated March 1944. \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e- Fishing kit, in this case two sealed packs are included with the side showing the interior FISHING INSTRUCTIONS.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e- Two bladed 5 inch knife, in this case a Navy Pilot \"Big Jack\" Survival Knife by Colonial Knife Co., one grip is a bit loose. \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e- ESM-2 signalling mirror in original sleeve.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e- Five minute signaling flares, in this case two “5 MIN. RED FUSEE”, both sealed.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e- Waterproof plastic pistol cover\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e- Reversible yellow safety cloth hat\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e- Survival manual\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e- Spit assembly in box.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e-Gaff hook assembly in small tin.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e- Plastic three pint water bladder\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e- Instruction\/contents manual\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e- Carlisle Model Bandage, sealed.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e- Pack of Toilet Paper\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe set is missing the \u003ci\u003eFirst Aid Kit, the pistol cartridges, the insect repellent, the emergency parachute ration, the sharpening stone, the Type D-3 leather gloves and inserts, the mosquito head net,\u003c\/i\u003e and the \u003ci\u003eType H01 folding sun goggles\u003c\/i\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe full basic list of contents for these vests include:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- Box of 20 .45 calibre shells (for pistol)\u003cbr\u003e- Waterproof match case with compass\u003cbr\u003e- Accessory kit containing fire starter tabs pocket knife, oiler, whistle, razor and razor blades\u003cbr\u003e- First aid kit\u003cbr\u003e- Fishing and sewing kit\u003cbr\u003e- Two bladed 5 inch knife\u003cbr\u003e- ESM-2 signalling mirror\u003cbr\u003e- Emergency parachute ration\u003cbr\u003e- Insect repellent (can)\u003cbr\u003e- Sharpening stone\u003cbr\u003e- Five minute signaling flares\u003cbr\u003e- Waterproof plastic pistol cover\u003cbr\u003e- Type D-3 leather gloves and inserts\u003cbr\u003e- Reversible yellow safety cloth hat\u003cbr\u003e- Survival manual\u003cbr\u003e- Mosquito head net\u003cbr\u003e- Spit and gaff assembly\u003cbr\u003e- Type H01 folding sun goggles\u003cbr\u003e- Plastic three pint water bladder\u003cbr\u003e- Gauze bandage (shell dressing\u003cbr\u003e- Instruction\/contents manual\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe historical importance of the C-1 lies in its effort to place essential survival equipment directly on the individual airman rather than depend entirely upon aircraft-mounted emergency kits. With its Sears \/ Reliance manufacturer label, Specification 3206 designation, March 1944 match case, sealed fishing kits, Colonial “Big Jack” survival knife, ESM-2 mirror, two five-minute red fusees, pistol cover, reversible hat, manuals, spit and gaff assemblies, three-pint water bladder, Carlisle bandage, and toilet tissue, this example provides an exceptionally useful study of U.S. Army Air Forces emergency equipment from the closing years of WWII.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45614843723845,"sku":"ONSV26WSV130","price":1295.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/7A5F4C2C-9660-4DB9-9206-3E0A961E3836.jpg?v=1787766759","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-u-s-wwii-usaaf-pilot-type-c-1-emergency-sustenance-vest-with-partial-contents-very-rare","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}