USD Aqua Master Question

[simonbeans]

A new friend, recently retroed into vintage diving, had me exam his latest acquistion of a W.Picco DA Aqua Master. From the label and the satin finish I estimated that this DA AM was 1958 or 1959 vintage. It is in excellent shape as can be seen in the photos. However, my belief is that this regulator came with yellow hoses and straight yellow mouthpiece. It has on it the curved mouhpiece we all recognize and the best preserved set of the many convolutions hoses. They are pristine and very, very diveable. These hoses were sold in 1961 ONLY with the "new" curved mouthpiece. I suspect that the hoses are replacements to the regulator. Does this sound reasonable? Roy, the owner, hopes to be at Portage this summer and will bring the regulator so all can see the original hoses. The other scenario was that USD had some "leftover" labels or cans that they continued to use after the physical move to their Delhi Avenue and later Warner Avenue address. Any ideas?







Allan

[SDAquamaster]

My (limited and very amature) understanding is that:

1. A DA with a West Pico label would be a 58 or 59.
2. The 1958 DA had yellow hoses and a straight yellow mouth piece while the 1959 DA had yellow hoses with a black straight mouthpiece.
3. The curved "Kleer-EZ" mouthpieces were introduced in 1961
4. The 3323 West Delhi Rd address was used 1960-1962ish.
5. The 3323 West Warner Rd Address was used 1962ish onward.
6. Shiny chrome finishes appeared in 1964.
7. I am not an expert on serial numbers by any means but this one falls between my 1958-1959ish West Pico DA (206XXX) and my 1962-1963ish West Warner DA (236XXX) so I guess it's possible it could be a "leftover" West Pico label sold during the West Delhi era.

But...I agree with you that it is a 1958 or 1959 (most likely a '59) DA with replacement hoses and mouthpiece. In fact I have never actually seen a DA from that era with the original yellow hoses still on it and I suspect most that were used for any lenght of time ended up with the newer hoses and mouthpiece.

So absent confirmation from someone that serial number 219175 would have shipped in 1961 or later, I'd stick with the replacement hose theory.

It would be great though to find someone who knows what's what with serial numbers and shipping dates.

[BSea]

My understanding is that all 58 models and the 1st part of 59 had no serial number. So if what I heard is true, that would make it no earlier than a 59.

I have also heard that the "left over" Pico labels were still used after the move, so I guess it could be set up as it originally came from Aqua Lung with the extra convolutions in the hoses.

But that is a great looking DA no matter when it was made.

[SDAquamaster]

My understanding is that all 58 models and the 1st part of 59 had no serial number. So if what I heard is true, that would make it no earlier than a 59.

Looking through what I have on DA Aquamasters, I think you are correct and no '58 should have a serial number. I am glad I configured mine as a '59.

[treasureman]

what a nice specimen. very clean. i would give him 125 for it as is??/ lol


I hope your friend gets deep into vintage diving, as it will lend a new arena to life on the edge.