kapock schwimm west model 10-76A

[Paul Woodbyrne]

After along absence from collecting and posting back at collecting again. will be posting pictures of some new and old bits. here goes. very very rare life vest model 10-76A. regards Paul.

[Gene]

Very nice Paul. Can you post a pic of the label? Here's mine:

[james nz]

Very nice! Condition looks good too

[Andy F-P]

Hello Paul,
That is a very rare beast. I have been in, or around, collecting Luftwaffe flight gear for about 20 years and I have NEVER seen one for sale.

Could you should a close up of the label please? Why do you think so few of these have survived compared to all the other models of Luftwaffe schwimmweste?

What would you estimate the market price for one of these in good condition would be at the present time?
Best regards,
Andy

[Hinkle]

Depends how you define market price. One was sold recently for EUR 4.000.....

Hello Paul,
That is a very rare beast. I have been in, or around, collecting Luftwaffe flight gear for about 20 years and I have NEVER seen one for sale.

Could you should a close up of the label please? Why do you think so few of these have survived compared to all the other models of Luftwaffe schwimmweste?

What would you estimate the market price for one of these in good condition would be at the present time?
Best regards,
Andy

[Paul Woodbyrne]

life vest

022.jpg kapock lable.jpgHi Andy yes I was the same as you have never came across one for sale in 30 years of collecting. They are extremely rare I would put them up with the great white jacket if I dare. Now you have to factor in that the paratrooper collectors are after them as well. The next part is only a suggestion, that stocks in the factory where they were manufactured did not destroy them when the second pattern came out. they simply adjusted them by removing the back panel. having said this the front is slightly different in style. They were used by fighter and bomber pilots during the early war battle of Britain. As for a price on them what ever one is willing to pay, they are more difficult to obtain than a knights cross, or say an honour goblet. will try and post picture of the tag. Regards Paul.

[Gene]

Very cool label, indicating it was made in Paris. My example was made by the Hamburg-Amerika Line on 27 März 1940

[Andy F-P]

[ATTACH]3321021[/ATTACH]Hi Andy yes I was the same as you have never came across one for sale in 30 years of collecting. They are extremely rare I would put them up with the great white jacket if I dare. Now you have to factor in that the paratrooper collectors are after them as well. The next part is only a suggestion, that stocks in the factory where they were manufactured did not destroy them when the second pattern came out. they simply adjusted them by removing the back panel. having said this the front is slightly different in style. They were used by fighter and bomber pilots during the early war battle of Britain. As for a price on them what ever one is willing to pay, they are more difficult to obtain than a knights cross, or say an honour goblet. will try and post picture of the tag. Regards Paul.

Hello Paul,
Very interesting thoughts on the development of the schwimmwesten. All I know is they are as rare as hen's teeth! I also believe they were not as hard wearing as the inflatable 10-30 model, as the fabric used to rub and get caught on the internal areas of the aircraft. Maybe they just didn't last as long and were thrown away.

It is a dream to own one for my BoB display, but I am more than happy to stick with my 10-30 inflatable example.
Best regards,
Andy

[Paul Woodbyrne]

Anybody have any clue to why this type of life vest is so hard to find.?........

[Harry]

My guess is fewer were made. They were unpopular with pilots/aircrew because of their bulk and made wearing a chute difficult. They frequently appear in pics of troops in air transport

[Paul Woodbyrne]

Some of the top fighter pilots wore them as well Galland, Molders, Wick,

[Gran Sasso]

Now you have to factor in that the paratrooper collectors are after them as well.

And collectors of mountain troopers.
I was lucky to find 3 in a period of 5 years, but last one app. 10 years ago. None seen since.