PARACHUTE BUCKLE ??

[gilles collaveri]

Good morning,

Would somebody be so kind as to confirm that this is a german parachute opening buckle ? (found on a Bf109 site).

If not, what could it be ?

Thanks a lot;

GC

[von Lutz]

Not sure what you mean by a parachute "buckle" but it's not the buckle that holds the parachute straps together. In the US it's called a "D" ring because of its shape. It's connected by a cable to the pin that holds the parachute pack closed. Usually it's attached to the left shoulder strap about mid chest so you can grab and pull with your right hand once you're clear of the aircraft.

[gilles collaveri]

thanks for explanation, so what do you think this can be ??

An aircraft component ?

GC

[von Lutz]

I thought I described what is was, part of the parachute system. What you use to open the parachute pack once you've bail out of the aircraft.

von Lutz

[gilles collaveri]

OK, clear,

so that is a moving: it is a part that was with the pilot when he crashed...

thank you very much for comments.

Best regards

GC

[Andy Saunders]

Yes, certainly a Luftwaffe parachute pack "D" Ring - the handle pulled by the pilot to open the parachute. (Sometimes incorrectly called the rip-cord)

[gilles collaveri]

Thanks Andy and Richard,

all the more moving as we also found the gun of the pilot.

Bregards

GC

[Snautzer]

Browning model 1922, Also made in germany as WaA140

complete set would have looked like


.