Info Request on SPACO DH Regs

[seakrakken]

Hi everyone!
Sadly an LDS is closing it's doors here in Texas ( Tucker's Dive Shop in Grand Praire). I was chatting with the owner (Bill Tucker) and I mentioned to him my interest in Vintage Scuba and asked if he had any DH Regs. He does and is looking for info on one he has in his collection and I would appreciate any help the Community can give. He has according to the markings on the name plate:

AQUA-LUNG
COUSTEAU GAGNAN PROCESS
(Patented)
SPACO INC BURLINGTON, VT USA
COM NO. 101750 SER NO. 1346

It looks very similar to a DA Navy Approved but, the horns are very small in diameter. The horns must be about 3/4" at most!

[Broxton Carol]

That is a very rare one. Only saw one like that. That one is worth thousands of dollars to those who grovel for such things. He would be a fool to sell it, that is unless he wants to take the money, retire, do a trip around the world, and have change left over for an "old hawk" when he gets back.

[Linda]

There is a post on this forum by YankDownUnder, about a year ago, in which he states:

There is an article which appears on www.calclassic.org tells about 'aqua lung' labels:


"1949: The Aqua-Lung was first distributed on the east coast by Spaco Inc. of Burlington, Vermont. The ID plate is rectangular in shape, 1-1/4 by 2 inches, and surface mounted with four rivets. It is not countersunk into the bottom box as later models are. The example I have has raised letters and hand stamped numbers. The plate is non-magnetic, so I assume it's made of brass or copper, with what appears to be a satin platinum type finish. Any evidence of a background color is not evident."

About a year and a half ago, Phil Nuytten posted this, in response to a collection being sold on eBay:

IMHO, the Spaco has a realistic value of something like - low: $2,000/ high:$4,000...

Here is Mark Howell's article:
www.calclassic.org/Regulator/aqualung.html

And a great picture:
www.calclassic.org/Regulator/1949.html

[seakrakken]

WoW! I'll let Bill know what you've told me. I'm sure he'll be glad to find out. He says he's held on to this plus he also has a Gold Plated RAM in the presentation box he was given.