USAAF Gunners Belt type A-3

.Made by Irving Air Chute Company and comes complete in its original issue box which is fully stamped up and the box shows a manufacturing date of March 6 1943 but is further dated dated 2-1-44 which is also stamped on the belt fabric. Inside other than minor rust to meal parts the belt is in near mint condition and even carries an inspection label saying 'serviceable when checked 25 April 1944'! These belts were fixed to the aircraft, normally in waist gunners position, to prevent air gunners being blown out of aircraft. The belt is made from cotton webbing reinforced with nylon thread and the metal parts are nonmagnetic heat treated steel. The belt was designed to be used by the gunner in a standing position and forms a loop running through the parachute harness and around a mounting point attached to the floor of the aircraft in front of the gunner. The British part number for this item is 106F/5. Extended the belt measures 66" (168 cm).