Original U.S. Army Air Force Type C-1 Emergency Sustenance Vest

Original U.S. Army Air Force Type C-1 Emergency Sustenance Vest-

The Type C-1 Emergency Sustenance Vest was developed during World War II for Army Air Force personnel and remained in service through the Korean War and, to a limited extent, in Vietnam. Designed for universal deployment, the C-1 vest proved particularly effective in tropical and Arctic environments.

Constructed from dark olive-green tackle twill, the vest weighed approximately 11 pounds when fully equipped. It featured three large front buttons for closure and was designed to be worn over the uniform and A-2 leather jacket but under the Mae West life vest, body armor, and parachute harness. However, due to its bulk when fully loaded, an alternative musette bag was later introduced for parachute deployment.

The C-1 vest was issued in one adjustable size, with three rear tie fasteners for a customized fit. It was used alone or in conjunction with seat and back pad survival kits developed during WWII. There were three known variants of the vest:

• Early models had two slanted front pockets secured by a large button.
• Later models featured straight top-opening pockets secured by snap fasteners.

The C-1 vest featured specifically labeled and numbered pockets designed to store essential survival equipment. A leather and canvas holster on the left side accommodated a standard-issue .45 caliber M1911 pistol. The vest’s contents varied by deployment region but typically included:

• Box of 20 .45 caliber rounds
• Waterproof match case with compass
• Accessory kit (fire starter tabs, pocket knife, oiler, whistle, razor, razor blades)
• First aid kit
• Fishing and sewing kit
• Two-bladed 5-inch knife
• ESM-2 signaling mirror
• Emergency parachute rations
• Insect repellent (can)
• Sharpening stone
• Five-minute signaling flares
• Waterproof plastic pistol cover
• Type D-3 leather gloves with inserts
• Reversible yellow safety cloth hat
• Survival manual
• Mosquito head net
• Spit and gaff assembly
• Type H-01 folding sun goggles
• Plastic three-pint water bladder
• Gauze bandage (shell dressing)
• Instruction/contents manual

This authentic U.S. Army Air Force Type C-1 Emergency Sustenance Vest is offered in very good condition. Someone did you a magic marker to darken out the Army Air Force logo. Also above the logo is the soldiers name and serial number. Fishing kit or partial kit is included. Snaps appear to all work and the buttons are all there.

The original data label reads:

VEST: EMERGENCY SUSTENANCE
TYPE C-1
SPECIFICATION NO. 3206
ORDER NO. W33-038 AC 5413
CAPPEL MACDONALD & CO
PROPERTY OF AIR FORCES, U.S. ARMY

A rare and historically significant piece of WWII survival equipment, ideal for collectors or museum displays.