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WWII U.S. M-1926 Flotation Belt Life Preserver - U.S. Rubber Co. (Sept. 1943)

Original M-1926 inflatable flotation belt, the standard life preserver issued to U.S. assault troops for amphibious landings in WWII. Manufactured by U.S. Rubber Co. in 1943, this belt retains its khaki canvas cover over twin parallel rubber air cells, each designed to be inflated by a CO₂ cartridge (manual “hard quick grip” squeeze) with oral inflation tubes as backup—exactly as seen on documented wartime examples and museum references. 


The canvas shows clear wartime stenciling and period Navy/Army contract markings; metal buckle and hardware present with light age toning.


A classic D-Day–type life preserver used across Army, USMC, and USN units. Excellent display piece for a Normandy or PTO kit, mannequin, or museum wall—scarcer in full 54" length and legible instructions.

  • Model: Life Preserver, Belt, M-1926

  • Branch: U.S. Army / U.S. Navy / U.S. Marine Corps

  • Manufacturer: U.S. Rubber Co.

  • Year of Manufacture: 1943

  • Construction: Khaki canvas cover with twin inflatable rubber air cells

  • Inflation System: Two CO₂ cartridge housings with manual squeeze activators; oral inflation tubes as backup

  • Markings: “TO INFLATE SQUEEZE ARROWS TOGETHER WITH A HARD QUICK GRIP AND RELEASE”

  • Hardware: Original metal buckle and fittings intact

  • Overall Length: Approx. 54 inches (uninflated)

  • Condition: Very good; canvas intact with minor age toning, hardware complete

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