Designed for and issued to American pilots possibly as early as World War II, for use in the event they were downed behind enemy lines, or otherwise found themselves in hostile territory. On average the kits contained approximately .90 Troy ounces of fine gold in the form of coins and rings, and were issued sealed. Due to the value of the individual kits, each kit was serial numbered and had to be signed out and signed back in with all contents accounted for if the kit was opened in the course of duty. This particular kit is the Atlantic variation, which would traditionally contain a British or South African Pound gold Sovereign, two British and/or South African gold half Sovereigns, a 10 Franc coin, a 20 Franc coin, and three golden rings. The case itself is hard rubber and marked "IF FOUND RETURN TO/COMNAVAIRLANT (CNAL 34)/NORFOLK, VIRGINIA" on both sides and the individual serial number "918" is hand marked on one side; the use of the "COMNAVAIRLANT" abbreviation for Commander, Air Force Atlantic, started in the 1950's. Included with the lot is a photocopied documentation putting this kit by serial number as part of a Defense Logistics Agency property disposal auction in 1980 in Columbus, Ohio, with copies of articles related to the sale and the official DLA instructions for removing the contents, a 2020 dated bill of sale numbered to the kit, which mentions a supplied x-ray. The x-ray negative (which shows the number on the internal metal plate and x-ray opaque obstructions consistent with 3 rings and 5 coins) is also included.

Fine, showing mild wear, with some light scuffs, and fading of the color of the rubber in the areas of the contents.