WWII USAAF Type B-4 Parachute Survival Pack by Companion Bags Inc. (1943)

Description

This is an original and extremely rare WWII U.S. Army Air Force Type B-4 survival pack that would have once been connected to a corresponding parachute harness. It was manufactured by Companion Bags Inc. in 1943, and its official nomenclature is the "TYPE B-4, SPECIFICATION No. 40463, ORDER No. 43-32225-AF". This would have originally held survival gear for the downed airman, including a blanket that came with the warning "BLANKET EMERG. ONLY". It measures approximately 13 inches wide, 15 inches tall, and 3 inches deep. The OD#3 (khaki) webbing is marked with the laundry number of its original owner, "L-6326". We have only seen two of these survival packs come to market, making this a very rare opportunity to own a piece of kit often missing in even the most advanced of USAAF collections.

Provenance

Personal Collection of Chelius Carter

Condition Report

This pack is in fair condition. The reverse shows signs of missing webbing and snaps and the Talon manufactured zipper is rusted, although intact and still somewhat functional.