I mentioned elsewhere that I initially questioned this piece.
The pristine condition had me wondering if it was a made piece for a movie or something(thinking SPR or BoB). I searched and found this:
http://www.smwholesaleusa.com/b3-mae-west-life-vest They claim they made some for "Unbroken". There are other repros like WPG but this is by far the closest match. SMW is the closest replica IMO but with a different font and bold stamping and some reinforcements left out. The similar and unique inspection stamp was copied from somewhere but does differ. That, the differences in reinforcement, and stamping differences say it isn't SMW. One might find many variances on wartime items but small run repros don't tend to improve or evolve like wartime contracts. Returned for detail improvement though, sure.
After finally looking at it a bit, I'm much more confident. Some positives are the broken bladder that is crunchy and broken throughout and on one side pooled in the bottom. I hate comparing to known replicas but these reinforcements are not like those on the SMW, WPG, or SOF vests. The rubberized cotton reinforcement and strap holding the CO2 are on none of the repros. I also notice the patina of the grommets and valves. The Schrader valves are marked "USA Schrader" as my other original B-4s and AN-6519s. The locking jamb nuts are never on the repros but on the real ones I own or have seen. The small clips are consistent with the B-3 and B-5 I have. B-3s were to me modified with a strap from neck to waist strap in '44. This doesn't have that but neither has any other B-3 I've seen.
The only pics I find that have matching reinforcements and fittings are of originals and those I find of replicas are not near enough like these or the originals in pics. My feeling is that either someone out there made this perfect repro or someone used an original's fittings and made this. Unlikely but maybe I am just trying to convince myself.
Unissued or repro. You like or no?
Dave
The pristine condition had me wondering if it was a made piece for a movie or something(thinking SPR or BoB). I searched and found this:
http://www.smwholesaleusa.com/b3-mae-west-life-vest They claim they made some for "Unbroken". There are other repros like WPG but this is by far the closest match. SMW is the closest replica IMO but with a different font and bold stamping and some reinforcements left out. The similar and unique inspection stamp was copied from somewhere but does differ. That, the differences in reinforcement, and stamping differences say it isn't SMW. One might find many variances on wartime items but small run repros don't tend to improve or evolve like wartime contracts. Returned for detail improvement though, sure.
After finally looking at it a bit, I'm much more confident. Some positives are the broken bladder that is crunchy and broken throughout and on one side pooled in the bottom. I hate comparing to known replicas but these reinforcements are not like those on the SMW, WPG, or SOF vests. The rubberized cotton reinforcement and strap holding the CO2 are on none of the repros. I also notice the patina of the grommets and valves. The Schrader valves are marked "USA Schrader" as my other original B-4s and AN-6519s. The locking jamb nuts are never on the repros but on the real ones I own or have seen. The small clips are consistent with the B-3 and B-5 I have. B-3s were to me modified with a strap from neck to waist strap in '44. This doesn't have that but neither has any other B-3 I've seen.
The only pics I find that have matching reinforcements and fittings are of originals and those I find of replicas are not near enough like these or the originals in pics. My feeling is that either someone out there made this perfect repro or someone used an original's fittings and made this. Unlikely but maybe I am just trying to convince myself.
Unissued or repro. You like or no?
Dave
