Welcome to in the present day’s Photo of the Day! Right here now we have a sealed U.S. Navy Atlantic escape and evasion “Barter Equipment” serial quantity 807, designed for American pilots downed behind enemy traces. These kits contained roughly .90 troy ounces of tremendous gold in cash and rings for bartering with civilians or resistance forces throughout escape makes an attempt.
The Atlantic variation historically contained a British or South African gold Sovereign, two gold half Sovereigns, a ten Franc coin, a 20 Franc coin, and three gold rings. The exhausting rubber case is marked “IF FOUND RETURN TO/COMNAVAIRLANT (CNAL 34)/NORFOLK, VIRGINIA” on each side with serial quantity “807” on one facet.
The usage of “COMNAVAIRLANT” abbreviation for Commander, Air Power Atlantic began within the Fifties, suggesting this equipment dates from that period ahead via the Chilly Conflict interval. These kits have been issued to naval aviators flying over hostile or unfriendly territory the place they may must evade seize.
Because of the gold worth, every equipment was serial numbered and required sign-out and sign-in procedures with all contents accounted for if opened in the middle of responsibility. This created accountability for the dear contents whereas making certain pilots had sources for escape and evasion if wanted.
The idea was easy – gold is universally valued and doesn’t require language to barter with. A downed pilot may commerce gold cash or rings for civilian garments, meals, shelter, transportation, or help reaching pleasant forces. The combination of various nations’ cash elevated flexibility relying on the place the pilot got here down.
This equipment stays sealed, which means it was by no means issued for precise use or was signed again in unopened after its assigned pilot’s service ended. Discovering sealed examples is rare since many have been both used, misplaced, or opened by collectors.
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“Uncommon Sealed U.S. Navy Atlantic Escape and Evasion ‘Barter Equipment’.” Rock Island Public sale, www.rockislandauction.com/element/4096/1318/rare-sealed-us-navy-atlantic-escape-and-evasion-barter-kit. Accessed 4 Mar. 2026.
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