Vintage Double Hose

Hi,
So I was randomly taking a closer look at my 18cf US Divers tank from the early 60s (the one packaged with the Aqua-Div). I noticed something that struck me as more than odd and I was hoping someone could shed some light on it for me. I searched the forum and also googled and couldn't find anything about this particular valve stamping. On the front side of the valve (right below the yoke opening) there is clearly a swastika stamped into it. The side of the valve says:
U.S. DIVERS
CO.
LOS ANGELES
CAL.
MADE IN U.S.A.
K

12-61

The tank itself has 2 hydro dates: 7/44 and 1/60
The tank is clearly war surplus. The body info reads:
ICC-3A1800
K62591X USGOVT
WK&CO
NONSHATTERABLE

So does anyone know why this tank would have a swastika? US Divers didn't buy German surplus valves for conversion to scuba did they? Other than that I can't imagine why this valve would have this on it.

Clint

Could you post some pictures?

Thanks

Hi Luis,
Absolutely....I hope these post properly...

The Bottle


The Tank Markings


The Valve Side Markings


The Valve Face Marking

I have a Vigo Aqua Lung with a 3 - 59 date on it, but no markings that I recall on the valve like yours has.

What I'm seeing though, isn't a swastika, but a Hydro stamp. Just not sure why the dates are not on it. Is there a hydro stamp on your tank from after 1960? And does it match this pattern?

First thing after work though is I'm going to check my valve!!!

The picture isn't amazing...so it may not be completely clear. The symbol may be a hydro stamp of some sort that I am unfamiliar with, but it is most definitely a very clear swastika so the hydro stamp would have to be using that symbol. I am not the most familiar with hydroing procedures but, do they stamp the valve when hydroing? I didn't think that they did. I'm including another picture of the hydro stamps on the tank. There is only the 2 stamps and neither includes this symbol.

You're absolutely correct, they normally do not stamp the valve, but after 1968(? don't quote me on that date.) every hydro outfit had to have an identifying stamp. Maybe a newbie of the day stamped it incorrctly.

Whatever it is, I'm sure this will become a long thread - WWII history and SCUBA - what a combo!

There was a link on SB that listed all the stamps had who they were from, I just checked and the link is no longer valid.

Ah..interesting. So, does this hydro stamp usually appear right next to the hydro date? I am not at home to check my other tanks (all of which are modern tanks except for this little guy).

I pulled out my macro lens today to get a better photo of the imprint...though it definitely made the depth of field in the photo very narrow to a point where it was difficult to get the whole symbol in focus, but I think it shows it much better than the last photo.



Clint

That is an odd stamp. I think it is the mirror image of the German version (counter clockwise Vs clockwise).

cheeko8080 wrote:I pulled out my macro lens today to get a better photo of the imprint...though it definitely made the depth of field in the photo very narrow to a point where it was difficult to get the whole symbol in focus, but I think it shows it much better than the last photo.



Clint

HOLY COW!!!!!!

Ahhh yes it is backwards...its like the Hindu and Buddhist swastika symbol. Interesting.

I think the tank was owned by Charles Manson at one time.

OK, I won't sleep until this mystery is solved....