C010595 U-BOAT “U845" INFLATABLE LIFE JACKET (CANADIAN CAPTURED).

BACKGROUND: Mariners have utilized life jackets/preservers for centuries with the earliest examples being crude cork or wooden flotation devices. By WWII the most common types of life jackets were cork, kapok or inflatable versions. The Kriegsmarine utilized a wide variety of the assorted styles of life jackets and vests which were essential equipment on all sea and inland waterway vessels. The life jackets and vests were not personal issued items but were considered part of a vessels stores equipment and were distributed to crew members as required. Generally all models of the life jackets were constructed in bright yellow material for ease of visibility and generally the inflatable life jackets would retain their buoyancy for up to twenty four hours. Most versions of the inflatable life jackets were equipped with a pressurized air canister for automatic inflation and a secondary manual inflation tube.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Rubberized, yellow canvas construction pneumatic flotation life jacket with bakelite, steel and alloy fittings. All complete and in excellent condition. This example taken as a war trophy by Robert Parslow while serving as a crew member of the HMCS St Laurent. The St Laurent sunk U845 on March 10th 1944. The U-boat crew suffered 10 dead and 45 survivors. Mr Parslow’s name is hand written to the collar of the vest. Also included is the newspaper obituary clipping for Mr Parslow. 

GRADE ****1/4                             PRICE $

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