Original U.S. WWII USAAF Mae West Pneumatic Life Vest by Republic. - Dated February 1943 Original Antique Guns I suspect these were issued

I suspect these were issued inside the gas mask bag

which makes this an "ALL MATCHING" example

Stamped on the interior of the leather sweatband is 59 which the size of this cap

The Navy Cross was established by Act of Congress (Public Law 65-253) and approved on February 4

Interestingly in the patch box we found an old News Paper Ad from the Shotgun News dated July 1st 1969 showing this very rifle

Original U.S. WWII USAAF Mae West Pneumatic Life Vest by Republic. - Dated February 1943 Original Antique Guns I suspect these were issuedOriginal Item: Only One Available. During World War II the U. S. aviators and the Royal Air Force servicemen had available to them a vital piece of American made equipment for emergencies that had only been in use for a few years: an inflatable (Mae West) life preserver. This very good example is complete and marked (somewhat faded): VEST; LIFE PRESERVER, TYPE B 4SPECIFICATION NO. 3135DATE OF MFR. APR 20, 1943ORDER NO. W 535 AC