Original WWII US Army Captain Bring Back Trophy Set- German Luftwaffe Aviator Seat Pack Parachute, Bayonets and Certificate

Original Items: One-of-a-kind Set. This is an Original German WWII Luftwaffe set pack parachute (Type Fl 30231) still packed! Printed in black ink on white label that is sewn on parachute pack face is:

Gerät : SITZFALLSCHRIRM

Baumuster : 30 IS 24 B SA

Werknummer : 2037658

Gewicht : 9.5 kg

Tag der Herstellung : 20. April 1942

Anforderungszelchen: FI 30231

Hersteller : AUTOFLUG, BERLIN

The label is also stamped with various and inspection marking codes as well as another date of 23. APR 1942.

The white silk parachute canopy appears to be complete with cords and seems to have never been unpacked. The canvas bag carrier is in excellent condition and has the original ZIEH HIER (lift the dot) chrome snaps. The harness, ripcord and D ring are no longer present, but most of the external elastic straps are included.

There is also the original Luftwaffe Parachute Inspection Booklet (Fallschirm Prusschein) with multiple entries and inspection stamps starting in April 1943 ending in November 1945, made of Blue Oilcloth in very good to excellent condition. The front page serial number 2037658 matches the serial number on the parachute.

History of German WW2 Aviator Parachutes-

There were three main types of parachute used by aviators during the Second World War, excluding airborne troops. The seat type, where the pack formed a cushion for the aviator; the back type, carried on his back; and the chest type, often referred to as the 'Observer' type. All three required that the wearer deploy the canopy by pulling a ripcord manually via a 'D' ring. The Luftwaffe had used a seat type parachute similar to an American design but had found that those made by the British Irvin Air Chute Company to be superior. From 1937 Irvin were contracted to supply parachute equipment to Germany, who continued to copy and produce her own after war broke out in 1939. Therefore it is no coincidence that the Luftwaffe and RAF parachute equipment are relatively indistinguishable. The use of a single-point quick-release box meant that the aviator had considerable advantage when getting out of the harness, all he had to do was turn the dial and thump the box face and all web straps would fall away, enabling him to discard the harness and chute in rapid succession. This could prove critical if the aviator was being dragged on the ground, or if he landed on water. (British airborne forces also used the same system for the same reasons, however not the Fallschirmjaeger, with catastrophic consequences). As with other seat types the Fl 30231 required that the pilot or aircrew member sit on the parachute pack as a cushion when flying, and this was used by Me B pilots, Ju 87 pilots and rear gunners, and crew of other aircraft that featured a bucket recess in the aircraft seat.

German WW2 Seat Pack Parachute Details-

The Fl 30231 Seat type parachute is comprised a green cotton padded back panel from which all webbing harness straps are connected, across the back and at uprights. The reverse of panel features eight web connection points, where the harness straps are secured by means of double metal snap fasteners. Fitted at the left rear diagonal cross shoulder strap is a wide belt, crossing the wearer's stomach. This features the metal ripcord handle, the ripcord being ribbed metal sleeved, passing down the left side and connecting to the seat parachute. The wide belt/ripcord handle mechanism terminates at the quick-release dial, as do two web straps over the shoulders and two lower that secure the legs. The seat parachute pack features a well padded 'seat', the rectangular green canvas pack being permanently fitted to the harness. The parachute is sealed within the pack by three lift-the-dot metal fasteners and has six elasticated bands attached to further secure the four envelope closing panels of the pack. The ribbed metal-sheathed ripcord enters the pack at the left center, entering underneath a canvas panel that is secured by the three lift-the-dot fasteners.

Also included in this set are two bayonets-

One original 1938 Dated K98k bayonet or Seitengewehr (SG) 84/98 which has bakelite grips and an original leather frog, the bayonet serial number is 5274 with make Durkopp. Blade still retains much of the original blueing and is in overall excellent condition. Scabbard serial number 2713 and dated 42 with maker code “cof”.

One original 98k police bayonet, maker marked CARL JULIUS KREBS, SOLINGEN. The nickel plating is 95% and the attachment lug is functional. Grips in excellent shape as is the steel scabbard, frog shows age and it stiff.

Finally, there is the original TROPHY CERTIFICATE dated July 11th, 1945 and issued to Arthur V. Pingree Capt, 01165547. Arthur Veasey Pingree served as a Field Artillery Captain in the U.S. Third Army under General Patton, during World War II, earning a Bronze Medal. He passed away in 2004. The items listed on the trophy certificate are-

1. German Parachute

2. 2 German Bayonets

Never to be repeated, a Collectors dream with excellent provenance, the entire package as described.