December 7th Militaria and Aviation Auction
Lot 211:
Description
This lot features an extremely rare and historically important piece of aviation survival gear: an Original World War II Era British Royal Air Force RAF Auliff Lifebelt. The Auliff belt was an early flotation device used by RAF and Fleet Air Arm personnel, serving as a functional precursor to the later, more famous Mae West inflatable vest. This example dates from early 1918-1929.
The lifebelt is constructed of heavy canvas or rubberized duck cloth in a buff or khaki color, designed to contain inflatable bladders that wrapped around the torso. The canvas displays authentic field wear, staining, and fading consistent with WWII service. The belt features an integral khaki webbing harness with shoulder straps and metal fasteners designed to secure the belt to the wearer. The assembly is complete with the original metal inflation mechanism and a mouth inflation valve, confirming its operational status during its period of use.
A key feature of this artifact is the highly detailed and legible manufacturer s stamping and instructions directly on the canvas. The circular stamp clearly reads THE AULIFF LIFEBELT MADE IN ENGLAND, alongside the manufacturer s name and address W. POUND, LIMITED, CITY ROAD, LONDON. Stenciled instructions provide operational details, including TO INFLATE BELT GRASP LEVER FIRMLY AND LIFT UPWARDS and WEAR LIKE A WAISTCOAT THEN FASTEN TRIANGLES INTO HOOKS IN FRONT. This explicit text documentation makes the piece highly desirable for historical reference. The construction and clear markings date this rare survival piece to the early WWII period.
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