Code: MW19615
'Waistcoat, life-saving, inflatable stole type - temperate pattern'. Stores reference 22c/55. Size medium. The archetypal Battle of Britain Mae West commonly referred to as the '1932 pattern' due to the year of introduction. Manufactured using unbleached linen, dyed drab green and rubber proofed on the inside of the parts that contained the inflatable stole and kapok pads. Overall condition is excellent. All of the linen is in excellent and robust condition, there is minor fading and staining with some light 'brylcream'/grease marking at the neck where it would touch the wearer's head. Stencilled with various 'user' instructions to the front lobes. Complete with functioning original Air Ministry zip, buttons and upper buckled straps but the lower straps have been removed. The internal rubber coating is sound/flexible but there is a little shedding. Clear Air Ministry label with 1940 date and further stamps and A.I.D. marks on the inner rear panel. The Mae West comes fitted with an extremely rare temperate pattern stole constructed from high quality 0.03" thick brick red sheet rubber made from first grade plantation quality rubber. The joints are seamed with sealing strips. The inflation tube is constructed of thick solid rubber reinforced with 2 cotton fabric so as to be non-kinkable. It has an external diameter of 5/8" and is fitted with a nickel plated brass mouthpiece with screw valve. The stole is Air Ministry marked, October 1940 dated and in excellent supple condition with flexible tube. Finally there is an excellent set of original kapok pads constructed using internally rubberised cotton calico stuffed with hand teased Java kapok. These early war Mae Wests are of exceptional rarity and very sought after by collectors. A superb example. Further photographs on request. Stock code MW23892.
