My own collection by Jiguad

[YankDownUnder]

Another one....

[jiguad]

Thanks Jes! i will show you more pictures as I'll finish to clean it...

[jiguad]

Really nice one and perfect condition! This one is more from late 70's isn't it?

[jiguad]

Do you think it's possible to date my reg with the serial n°? The last sold on Ebay yesterday have the n°240638 with a contract date of 1969. Mine have the n°237056 so prior to this one. Maybe a contract date of 1968???

[Bryan]

I would get with Bernie or someone who actually knows what they are talking about as far as the Navy regulators go. There is so much BS about serial numbers that no records exist for or at least none that anyone has ever shown or posted that it makes my head spin...Till I see it in black and white I would take all of it with a grain of salt. Just my 2 cents

[Drado]

A little of topic (pardonnez-moi, Jig) , but Yankdownunder, I gotta ask a question regarding the mouthpiece of your non-mag: It looks like an hourglass type mouthpiece with a section on front for an emblem just like a curved one. Is this so? Can we have another photo of it?

[Bryan]

My understanding is the Navy ordered those mouthpieces but never used them. Sam Miller acquired all of them and sold them to a lot of us in years past. I think he told us he sold out of them. They are like a Voit hourglass but a little larger and they had a USN logo...Rob tried to re-create one similar when he made these.

http://www.thescubamuseum.com/products/ ... LEpage.htm

[jiguad]

OK Bryan thanks for your answer. I suppose that you have already asked to USDIVERS if they have a trace on there files?

[Bryan]

USD never kept serial number records in any real detail. Phil Nuytten has done extensive field research trying to make sense of it and his finding are publicized in Historical Diving Magazine...Here is the direct link to those issues containing that information. Phil and I are still working on offering these directly to VDH members but we don't have that worked out yet. This is from the technical section of the forum and I think all these issues are crucial to anyone serious about understanding the creation and early days of the Aqua-Lung. Phil has as much Factual serial number research as I have ever seen published in these articles.

http://www.vintagedoublehose.com/forum/ ... =12&t=3800

I was told by several sources that worked closely with USD that most of the early records were destroyed in a fire in 1975. I also saw a promotional US Divers film and in part of it they discuss briefly how much was lost in the fire.

[jiguad]

I understand much better now why it's so difficult to find these informations... Thanks for the list and explanation!

[jiguad]

Following my precedent post this is the only piece who was in bad condition in my AMag reg:

I've removed it without opening the box to prevent other damages because the rubber became dry and sticky.
I'm looking for one to replace this one. If someone knows where I can find such piece... I suppose this "sock" is used to prevent air noise when it escapes from the body and to aim the bubbles at the top of the box?

I've seen today too that the seat of the yoke is a little bit cracked as you can see in this picture. I suppose I can't dive this reg with such damage?

[Bryan]

You really need to take Double Hose Regulator 101....It would benefit you a whole lot if you understood the basic mechanics of how it operates and what each part does....

That is the duckbill exhaust valve....Keeps water from flowing back down the hose and keeps it from free flowing when centered correctly over the diaphragm. Cousteau/USD fought many companies over the patent on this type exhaust valve. They filed many lawsuits over it as well. This is the reason that so many other double hose regulators have such complicated exhaust systems....Oh and it can be replaced for $5.00

DUCKBILL EXHAUST VALVE LINK

Or I have an NOS original...It does not work as well as the reproductions but it is an exact replacement.

Most likely the finish is just chipping off the yoke. This was common on Non Magnetics and does not really effect the strength of the yoke. Check it carefully but I would bet that is all it is.

[Drado]

Regarding the crack in the yoke, the seller DID list that flaw in the auction. I hope you saw that and took it into consideration. But at any rate, I think that Bryan's right about DH 101... it would be better if you knew and understood your reg and its parts before you dove it. Click on Bryan's link, or the longer way would be on the upper right part of the screen, there's a link to the store(Shop Online). Click on it then "Hoses/Mouthpiece" on the left navigation pane.
For 5 bucks, you can get a very good silicone reproduction of a duckbill - the "bec de canard" or "soupape d'expiration."



You might also see a link to other non-mag parts available. As well as a whole ton of other goodies.

Bonne chance.

[jiguad]

Thanks Bryan for advising me about the DHR 101. I've the 1954/1960/1967 and 1970 Navy Instruction books who helps me to understand how the reg works + my UDT manual and two Navy diving manuals. Very heavy and very exhaustive! However I haven't already read the entire technical manuals. Technical language is not easy for me to understand and I've some difficulties to apprehend all the mechanisms of the DAAM.

About the exhaust valve, it's more clear for me right now! Thanks! I'm interested by both the original and the reproduction to try my DAAM later. I will order that later as I've checked the mouthpiece's valves. But they look in good condition.

About the seat of the yoke, it's really cracked and it was not only the paint off. The metal is broken. This is a better picture, more explicit:

[jiguad]

Merci beaucoup Drado!
I've followed the Bryan's link and I've seen the duckbill exhaust valve and other goodies. I'm waiting for your advises about the yoke seat before taken any decision to dive with it. I want to dive safer first! Again thanks to all you both.

About the crack in the yoke, I've to admit that I've missing this part. But it doesn't matter, the reg is in good condition and I've paid a good price for it. After all I guess...