Original Item: Only One Available. The Kriegsmarine utilized a wide variety of inflatable, cork and kapok filled 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 vessel's store equipment and were distributed to crew members as required.

This lovely example was manufactured by Wetzell Gummiwerke AG, Hildesheim in 1940. During WWII, Wetzell Gummiwerke AG mainly produced for the Kriegsmarine and rubber parts for cockpits of the Luftwaffe. The KM acceptance stamp is still visible. This version was manually inflatable and not pneumatic. The mouthpiece is still present and all of the air stoppers on the bottom are original, present and undamaged. The waist strap has been cut and no longer has the buckles present.

This is a wonderful example of the less common type of Schwimmweste encountered. Comes more than ready for display!