Complete instructions for using this kit are pasted on the bottom of the plastic container. One kit has WF-7-28-44-53,600-(355) printed on the bottom of the instruction sheet. At least two companies made these kits, and there are some diferences in contents! Pearl Soap made by: Procture & Gamble, and Colgate Floating Soap, made by: Colgate/Palmolive were used. Two types of band aids or adhesive compress were used, ZO Plain band aids, by Johnson & Johnson, and M-S-A Adhesive Compress, by Mine Safety Appliances. The 2" Gauze Bandages were made by M-S-A, and Guild Foundations. The small plastic vilas for the pills are generaly the same with instructions for use printed on a small piece of paper placed on the inside of the vials.Two different sizes of burn ointment tubes were used one large, and one medium. The plastic box measured: 3"x4"x1" These were placed in pocket # 1
BURNS, WINDBURN AND CHAFING - Apply Boric Acid Ointment evenly on affected area or on sterile dressing to be applied.
HEAT CRAMPS & EXHAUSTION- To prevent cramps and exhaustion due to sweating add 2 Sodium Chloride (Salt) tablets to each canteenful of drinking water.
MALARIA (CHILLS AND FEVOR) (PREVENTION)- Take first dose of Atarabrine (1 tablet) in morning and second dose (1 tablet) in the evening after meals on 2 days of each week. Skip two or three days between the days of taking Atrabrine. Start to take Atrabrine on the first day you are in a malaria area and continue to take it as long as you are in a malaria area.
SCRATCHES AND SMALL CUTS- Apply iodine by drawing tip of bottle lightly over wound or by tapping bottle. Apply small sterile dressing.
SLEEPINESS AND EXCESSIVE FATIGUE- Take one tablet of Amphetamine Sulfate-5 MG. if sleepy, or two tablets if necessary but do not take more than four tablets in any 12 hour period. Caution: Since these tablets keep you awake do not take when relief or rest is expected within six hours unless excessively exhausted. They should not be given to hysterical or severely wounded men.
WATER PURIFICATION- Use Water purification tablets (Halazone) as directed on container.
WOUNDS- Take internally by mouth, followed by a large amount of water, 8 Sulfadiazine tablets. Caution: Do not take any of these tablets unless large amounts of water can be taken both with the tablets and for 24 hours afterward.
ADHESIVE COMPRESS BANDAGE- Use for dressing small cuts, scratches, or blisters.
2 INCH COMPRESS BANDAGE- Cover wound with gauze pad and bind. Do not touch wound or pad with hands. Large Bandage and Sulfanilamide Crystals in pocket NO. 10. Sprinkle Sulfanilamide Crystals in and around wounds before dressing.
SOAP- Use for cleansing skin about wounds or otherwise as needed.
MORPHINE SYRETTE- 1/2 Gr. Use to relive severe pain. Do not give if patient is unconscious or in case of severe head injuries.
The gloves in the C-1 Vest may or may not be as listed. In some kits only leather gloves of a different type (without wool inserts) are furnished. It appears that the early test vests may have had two types of gloves, the Type A-10 glove has been found in at least two early test vests, and the Type A-11 glove with the wrist straps on the bottom, was found in another! The first Type D-3 glove did not have the wrist adjustment straps. The Type D-3-A glove became the standard glove as of early 1945.
Some companies that made the D-3-A gloves:
Allexetta Glove Co. made a black glove with green strap and black metal buckle.
Bacmo Postman Corp. made a dark black pair with green straps and a black buckle. With small AAF stamp over the right and left knuckles.
Berlin Glove Co. made a dark tan leather glove with a white strap, and black buckle. With black AAF Stamp on top.
Desmoines Glove & Mfg. Co. made a brown pair with green straps and brass buckles with small anchor stamps, on the buckles.
Elmer Little & Sons. made a brown pair with green straps and black metal buckles, and a tan pair with green straps and silver metal buckles.
Glovecraft Inc. made a dark tan glove with green straps, and black metal buckle.
Grocetta Brothers Glove Co. made both brown, & black pairs with green straps and brass or black buckles.
Illinois Glove Company. made gloves in natural tan leather with the AAF stamp on the top, green straps, with a green plastic buckle,
Most had the usual brown wool inserts with AAF tags marked D-3-A or inserts for both the A-11-A & D-3-A gloves.
All gloves had AAF stamp and contract numbers stamped on the inside top of the gloves.
Pictured 1st from top left are a near mint pair of D-3-A gloves with matching olive wool liners, the leather gloves are in natural tan leather with the AAF stamp on the top, and green straps, with green plastic buckle, these were made by: Illinois Glove Company, Chicago Ill, 1945. As of April 1, 1944 these gloves cost $2.42 These were placed in pocket # 15
MIRROR, EMERGENCY, SIGNALING (1 EA).
Stock No. 5400-580650. TYPE ESM/2
This mirror is 3x5 inches and is unbreakable. Flashes from it have been seen in tests and actual rescues for fifteen to twenty miles in the clear atmosphere of Artic regions. Instructions for its use are printed on the mirror itself. Sealed in paper envelope. These were placed in pocket # 4. Contrary to popular belief the TYPE ESM/1 mirror was not used in the C-1 vest as it couldn't fit in the pocket.
STONE, SHARPENING (1 EA).
Use water or saliva with this stone rather than oil. If you lose the stone, use any flat fine-grained rock. Early stones were made by NORTON ABRASIVES U.S.A. and were marked on the reverse MEDIUM INDIA MF 34 MADE IN USA, These stones were orange-tan or brown in color. The next version by BAY STATE A-3 - MO marked on back WATER STONE. And the later BAY STATE MEDIUM OIL STONE. The stones measured 4" x 3/8" x 3/8" These were placed in pocket # 3
FLARE, SIGNAL, 5-MINUTE RED LIGHT FUSEE (2 ea).
PART NO. 43B3554 6 1/2" CANDLE POWER 500
Stock No. 8300-215250, Class 13
Caution: Hold these well away from the face and clothing since they shower sparks aver a considerable area. Do not use them until the rescue plane is in sight and you are sure it is a friendly rather than an enemy plane. Because they are easily extinguished by wind or rain they are limited in use. The fusee flares were being replaced by the M-75 T-49 handheld 2 red star burst aerial flares, and the short MK-1, MOD-O or MK1, MOD-1, and later the larger MK 13 MOD-O smoke and ilummination signals at the end of the war! (Note: lead unmarked seal still attached to flare pocket with white thread) Some companies that made flares were:
THE AMERICAN RAILWAY SIGNAL COMPANY.
INTERNATIONAL FLARE SIG DIV.
SAMUEL JACKSONS SONS INC.
& STANDARD RAILWAY FLARE COMPANY.
As of April 1, 1944 these cost $0.7 cents each. These were placed in pockets # 5 and 9
M-75 (T-49) SIGNAL, FLARE, 2-STAR HAND-HELD.
The M-75 (T-49) is a combination 2-star flare and projector, extremely simple to use. To operate, remove the screw cap, unfold the wire D ring at the top, grip the flare tightly with the little finger under the bottom of the flare, hold the flare up and away from all persons or objects, and finally, pull the pin. The two stars leave seperately: the first after five seconds: the second, seven seconds later. As soon as the second star has fired, dispose of the container. If the flares fails to fire, wait thirty seconds, and then throw the flare away. The stars ignite as they leave the container and rise to a height of 125 feet. They burn about six seconds with a brilliance of approximately eight thousand candlepower. The M-75 distress signal should be stowed in a dry, well ventalated location out of the direct rays of the sun. The temperature in the magazine should not exceed 100 degrees F., but temperatures somewhat above that for short periods of time do not appear to seriously affect the performance. These flares could have been placed in pockets #5 and 9 as they are about the same size as the fusee flares, or in the front or rear personal items pockets.
DISTRESS SMOKE HAND-SIGNAL, TYPE MK-1 MOD 0 OR MK-1 MOD-1.
The Mark 1 hand-held Smoke Signal is somewhat similar to the M-8 Smoke Grenade. It is smaller, 3 7/8-inches long, 1 5/8-inches in diameter and weights 41/2-ounces. It burns about eighteen seconds and gives off an intense orange-colored smoke. It is discharged by holding it away from the body, down-wind and pulling the wire ring on the top. As soon as the smoke is burned out, it should be thrown away. This will prevent the possibility of burning the hand. Gloves should be worn, if available, whenever discharging pyrotechnics. Smoke is the best daytime signal. All necessary kits schould be inspected to see that the proper signals are included. These signals were probably placed in the personel items pockets.
This knife, with cutting blade extended, is heavy enough for use as a machete. To close the cutting blade, grasp the case in the right hand and place the thumb against the semi-circular metal projection at the base of the blade. Push this safety lock to the left, and at the same time pull the blade shut with the left hand. The saw blade, which opens and closes easily, can be used in sawing metal tubing, struts, etc., as well as in opening coconuts. Only two companies made these knifes: Colonial Cutlery Company, Prov, RI. And United Machine Tool Company of Grand Rapids, Mich. Do not confuse these with the Navy Survival Knife that looks identical, with the exception of a lanyard ring placed on the back end near the sawblade. C-1 vest knifes were oiled & wrapped in paper. Knife pictured is a mint example Colonial, with blued metal, and black plastic grips, and dark black metal finish on blades. Knife is 6" closed, and 15 6/8" long with both blades extended. The main blade is 4 5/8" long, and the saw blade is 5" long. United Machine Tool Co. alone made 60,000 of these knifes for AAF. These were placed in pocket # 3
INSTRUCTIONS, BOOKLET, EMERGENCY SUSTENANCE VEST, TYPE C-1 (1 ea).
T.O. NO. 13-1-24 Prepared by THE ARTIC-DESERT-TROPIC BRANCH HQ, AF TACTICAL CENTER. Measures 5 3/8" x 3 5/8" 20 pages. These were probably not included in the prototype vests! The 1st & 2nd variation vests may have had an instruction booklet, wich must have been slightly diferent. Pictured is a 3rd variation vest instuction booklet. The booklet was included in all late version vests. These were placed in pockets # 14 or 15
Photos Courtesy of Bob Breuninger
ATABRINE TABLETS
Packed in small plastic vial with metal screwcap.
HALAZONE TABLETS
Packed in small plastic vial with metal screwcap.
SALT TABLETS
Packed in small plastic vial with metal screwcap.
AMPHETAMINE SULFATE- 5 MG.
Packed in small plastic vial with metal screwcap.
WOUND TABLETS
Packed in small plastic vial with metal screwcap.
IODINE
Packed in small glass vial with bakelite screwcap
ADHESIVE COMPRESS BANDAGES
BAND-AID Brand Sterile Adhesive Bandage "ZO" PLAIN GAUZE PAD Made by: JOHNSON & JOHNSON NEW BRUNSWICK. N.J.
2 INCH COMPRESS BANDAGE
Made by: GUILD FOUNDATIONS NEW YORK, N.Y.
2 INCH COMPRESS BANDAGE
Made by: MINE SAFETY APPLINACES COMPANYPITTSBURG, PA.
SOAP
PEARL Soap made by: Procture & Gamble
SOAP
COLGATE Soap made by: Colgate/Palmolive
FIRST AID KIT
TOP VEIW
FIRST AID KIT
BOTTOM VEIW
FIRST AID KIT
INSTRUCTIONS VEIW
FIRST AID KIT
TOP VEIW
With anti tamper square. Case would be taped shut with tape over the freshly white painted red tamper seal, if the case's tape had been removed the red cross would be revealed. After the war, most kits were opened before being sold on the surplus market, items removed were the Morphine Syrette, and the Amphetamines, this is why these bottles are usually empty, or missing. The Halazone Tablets after time, would also destroy the directions lable inside the bottle.
BORIC ACID OINTMENT
14 Grams made by: BURKE DRUG SUPPLY DAYTON, OHIO
FIRST AID KIT
INSTRUCTIONS VEIW
FIRST AID KIT
MORPHINE SYRETTE
1 unboxed morphine syrete
TAMPER SEAL
With smooth top from 1st variant vest, back marked PAT 1982787
Exact same contents as issued in earlier kits, with an aluminum container. These were possibly a late war modification, a Korean War update, or may have been intended for the Type C-2 vest that was on the drawing boards! I personaly belive that this was simply an updated contianer as the plastic boxes were not all that sturdy. Box measures 3"x4"x1"
Photos Courtesy of Scott Novzen
Photo Courtesy of Bob Breuninger
FLARE, SIGNAL, 5-MINUTE RED FUSEE
Made by: International Flare Signal Co. Tippecanoe City, Ohio.
Marked: INTERNATIONAL FLARE SIG DIV.
of THE KILGORE MFG. CO. TIPP CITY, OHIO
March 1944
This manual was found in the sealed pocket of a 3rd variant Breslee vest AC-6639
C-1 Vest AAF Anti Tamper Seal
The pockets of complete and inspected vests were sewn or wired shut, and then the seal would be placed on the two ends, this was used for a visual check to make sure the contents had not been removed from the vest pockets! Pictured are the clip on style with smooth top & imprinted U.S. AAF on top.
Manual, gloves, and hat as removed from 1st variant CAPPEL-MacDONALD & CO. vest 45-412
Desmoines Glove & Mfg. Co. gloves with inserts, shown here with the hat, this is how they were packed in this vest!
Reverse side showing hat with gloves, the gaff kit was placed inside the hat, then the hat and gloves were placed in the vest then the manual, then the wrist's of the glove inserts were folded down the pocket was snaped closed and then sealed!
FIRST AID KIT
TOP VEIW
After the war, some kits were repacked and sold on the civilian market and are marked: Distributed by EVER READY FIRST AID KIT CO. These kits had the Amphetamine Sulfate, Atabrine Tablet, Wound Tablet bottles, and the Morphine removed before being sold to the general public! Ammonia Inhalents were added.
