How Do You ID A Navy DA Aqua-Master???

[NAUI Diver]

ive had this on my mind since winning my Royal Aqua-Master, and the seller saying it was a Navy reg. doesnt really matter since im happy with it, but it did get me to thinking, just HOW do you ID a Navy DA Aqua-Master from a regular run of the mill every day DA Aqua-Master?
thankyou again in advance folks for the help and explanations.

Ray

[captain]

I am not aware that the Navy ever offically used Royals. All offical Navy publications refer to the Aqua Master not the RAM. That said only a non- magnetic marked with the low mu stamp could be positively identified as ex-Navy. However the Navy did use regular Aqua Masters that were not non- magetic. The best indication would be the non functional ( not threaded) hooka port as found on the non- magnetic regulators. Also some may be found with unit identification numbers scratched into them. I have an ex Navy regulator that is unlike any I had seen. The body of it has the non functional hooka port like the non-magnetic but it does not have the low mu stamp. Internally it has the early DA Navy horseshoe and second stage seat. This doesn't appear to be an after production modification that may have been done by Navy personell and I believe that it left the factory that way. I also has no label which may be because it could not be call an Aqua Master or a DA Navy as it is a combination of both regulator designs. It is somewhat of a mystery and I have been told it is an extremely rare regulator.

[Bryan]

IMHO this is one of the fish stories a lot of people tell when they sell a regulator on E-bay...." It's an old NAVY regulator." "Used in special covert missions by UDT/SEAL Teams" Ask Nemrod about his DA that was supposed to have been "rebuilt" by an old Navy guy.
We have quite a few records, service manuals and 1st hand accounts to draw from for our information on what regulators were and were not used by the Navy.
Captain is right on the money saying that Royals were never included in any NAVSHIPS manuals. inventory or records that we know of. We know that the original Aqua-Lung, DA Aqua-Master, DA Aqua-Master- Non-Magnetic, Conshelf VI, Conshelf VI non magnetic were all in regular use as we have manuals for all of them and many 1st hand accounts of people using them.
I know that the Voit Navy and a couple of others were used/tested and approved for service but I have never seen a manual or documentation for any of them from the Navy.
If anyone has any other information on the subject please let us know!

[NAUI Diver]

i think i should have been alittle longer in my post, but im greatful for the replies, dont get me wrong please.

i remember you telling me Bryan that the RAM wasnt used by the Navy, atleast no documentation of it, so thats what i meant when i said it didnt matter that i bought it and the seller said it was a Navy reg. it did get me thinking about IDing the Navy DA's though and how to not be taken on a DA if i ever see one advertised as a NAVY DA in the future. the Non-Mag ID info is going to help alot there for Non-Mags. i was wondering if there was a way to ID a Navy DA AM, like something set it apart, to keep people from saying that their regular run of the mill off the shelf bought from Sears & Roebuck back in the 1960's is a Navy DA.

thankyouu Guys,
Ray

[Bryan]

There is no way I am aware of. ...Just watch the price and the message boards.....If it's unusual or unique the buzzing will start almost at once! If you have questions just post a link to the auction or have the seller send you some photos. Post the info here and I have no doubt that the group will give you the best answers possible.

I went and checked in the Navy manuals that I have and the DA Aqua-Master that is shown in the photos is the matte finish regulator with black hoses. The parts breakdown is almost identical to the USD.

A very very few people DO have Chrome finished regulators with stubbed hookah ports that were used as training regulators only for UDT/SEAL teams.

[NAUI Diver]

thankyou Bryan, its alittle bit clearer to me now. if it doesnt have the stubbed hooka port, ill be suspicious about it.

Ray

[Bryan]

The stubbed hookah port only tells us that it is very likely a non magnetic or in the non magnetic configuration.

I would guess the Navy likely used hundreds of satin finished DA Aqua-Masters. But bear in mind they were no different or special from the civilian models.

We have all seen regulators at auction with all kinds of stuff stamped/scratched/engraved on them...Unless they have documentation to back up the fact that it was used by UDT 12 in Vietnam or whatever they are claiming then it should all be taken with a grain of salt......

I'm working on getting the photos of Ron Millers collection put together and within it you will see many examples of documented military scuba equipment.