US Divers 1954 Rene Tank and Conshelf VI regulator

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dhaas

Contributor
Messages
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Location
Stow OH
# of dives
2500 - 4999
I thought I'd use these for fun local quarry vintage diving but simply don't have time with work and grandkids these days LOL...

Figured I'd post here for vintage scuba fans.

For sale is a USD 1954 Rene tank freshly hydro tested (5/18) even O2 clean. It has about 500 PSI in it now and depending on buyer could be shipped. I'm in NE Ohio so even local pick up could be arranged.

Also a as close to MINT Conshelf VI regulator. An Aqualung tech buddy bench tested as I don't think it's seen water. IP was high but solid around 150 but breathes great.

Make offer for one or both via email: davidhaas4596@gmail.com

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I thought I'd use these for fun local quarry vintage diving but simply don't have trim with work and grandkids these days LOL...

Figured I'd post here for vintage scuba fans.

For sale is a USD 1954 Rene tank freshly hydro tested (5/18) even O2 clean. It has about 500 PSI in it now and depending on buyer could be shipped. I'm in NE Ohio so even local pick up could be arranged.

Also a as close to MINT Conshelf VI regulator. An Aqualung tech buddy bench tested as I don't think it's seen water. IP was high but solid around 150 but breathes great.

Make offer for one or both via email: davidhaas4596@gmail.com

img_0623-jpg.536162
img_0625-jpg.536163
img_0628-jpg.536164
img_0632-jpg.536165
img_0633-jpg.536170
img_0634-jpg.536171
img_0636-jpg.536172
img_0638-jpg.536173
img_0639-jpg.536174
img_0640-jpg.536175

David...

The most recent re-hydro looks very suspicious...

The ''1'' stamp looks new...the ''5/8'' look old...really old...

It appears that the new ''1'' was stamped...preceding the old ''8''...turning a 5-8 re-hydro...into a 5-18 re-hydro...

Further I'm not seeing a VIP sticker...indicating any recent service...including O2 clean...

The 3-70 re-hydro stamp appears newer than the 5-18...

W...
 
Does it really matter? That tank appears to have been made in 1951 and was certainly made before 1955 when US Divers moved to West Pico Blvd and closed Rene's Sporting Goods. It's at least 64 years old, and appears to be 69 years old. I've got one of the 1st year USD RENE tanks too, and dive it annually at with a vintage diving group.
Would love to get my hands on one of the first CG45 regulators sold by SPACO Burlington Vt. long before any of the regs ever started being sold in California.

Michael
 
The 5/18 newest hydro shows the test facility designation numbers here in NE Ohio. Silly to think I'd fake something as I've been diving for 50 years next year. I co-owned a dive store, taught as an instructor until 1991 and still go diving all over the world every year.

The original hydro stamp taken with my phone does show the year number 4 lightly (look closely) but it's real and the tank's first test date of 7/54. Then one hydro done 3/70 and finally 5/18.

As to VIP sticker the knowledgeable tech who is PSI certified and cleaned and VIP'd it asked if I wanted his sticker on it. He wasn't sure due to the vintage collectible of the first imported tanks into the USA by Rene's Watersports in CA.

I have a 1961 71.2 steel from Dacor that is still perfectly clean also I use for pool and the occasional quarry dive. These steel tanks live forever if kept clean and serviced and this one has the vintage aura :)

Just one old guy's opinion :)

DH
 
@dhaas s
The 5/18 newest hydro shows the test facility designation numbers here in NE Ohio. Silly to think I'd fake something as I've been diving for 50 years next years. I co-owned a dive store, taught as an instructor until 1991 and still go diving all over the world every year.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Dave,
Its been a long time -- too long ! hope all is well

~~~~~~~~~ But ~~~~~~~~~~~~

Oh the horror !
A 65 year old rene tank !
That "white "plastic" O ring ! " That white tape around tank's neck !
That questionable hydro !
The only phrase is
"the horror of an antique tank still in service....."

All is bright and sunny in CenCal

Your old (real old) freind

Sam
Ps I wonder how many know what rene indicates ?

CC @Scuba Lawyer -- Sea Hunt Forever ????

@Marie13 CE
 
The 5/18 newest hydro shows the test facility designation numbers here in NE Ohio. Silly to think I'd fake something as I've been diving for 50 years next years. I co-owned a dive store, taught as an instructor until 1991 and still go diving all over the world every year.

The original hydro stamp taken with my phone does show the year number 4 lightly (look closely) but it's real and the tank's first test date of 7/54. Then one hydro done 3/70 and finally 5/18.

As to VIP sticker the knowledgeable tech who is PSI certified and cleaned and VIP'd it asked if I wanted his sticker on it. He wasn't sure due to the vintage collectible of the first imported tanks into the USA by Rene's Watersports in CA.

I have a 1961 71.2 steel from Dacor that is still perfectly clean also I use for pool and the occasional quarry dive. These steel tanks live forever if kept clean and serviced and this one has the vintage aura :)

Just one old guy's opinion :)

DH

Dave...

There are other ''number 1's'' stamped on the cylinder...the same vintage as the 5/8...the new ''one'' is a different ''number'' style...and definately not the same vintage as the 5/8...

I said ''suspicious''...fake is your term...

Absolutely nothing wrong with a vintage cylinder/valve assembly/regulator...if that's your cup of tea...

Having said that...the 5-18 re-hydro stamp...is not correct...any any knowledgable/certified filled station operator would not fill the cylinder...and considering there is no VIP sticker...the subject of filling the cylinder is moot...unless you're filling your own cylinders...

If preserving the integrity of a vintage cylinder is the purpose of this exercise...a fake...as you put it...re-hydro stamp...has turned a ''rare/vintage'' cylinder into scrap...

Nothing of historical significance about ''fake''...again...your term...not mine...

W...
 
Ps I wonder how many know what rene indicates ?

@Sam Miller III

Sam,

I had always assumed that Rene tanks were the ones sold by Rene Bussoz who had
Rene Sports (then located at 1045 Broxton Avenue, West Los Angeles, California) before it became U.S. Divers (at the same address). Is that correct, or have I been misinformed by those who seek to alter diving history to their own devices? Your old dive buddy, Mark

P.S. As for Sea Hunt Forever, I'm sure there will be future shows, just none in the works currently that I am aware of.
 
Not to belabor the subject but the 5/18 stamp with federal ID numbers 14 24 in between was done by:

Dan's Scuba
2305 E Aurora Rd # 8
Twinsburg OH 44087

He retired and closed his hydro facility last year. Different stamps from different facilities over how many locations this tank might have traveled. Plus maybe he just wasn't that good at stamping flat numbers on a round surface :)

Another PSI inspector near Toledo OH this year VIP'd and cleaned the tank providing me the test sticker. I'll give it to anyone who buys the tank or slap it on if I end up just using this piece of scuba history to dive for fun.

As to knowledgeable fill station operators that's a joke. Too many scuba stores have people that don't even know how to read the working pressure on a tank, find the latest hydro date, etc.

I and many friends own perfectly usable safe 71.2 steel 2250 PSI working pressure cylinders and have had to "educate" filling stations to NOT pump 3000 PSI in them as 99% have never seen anything but a 3000PSI - 80 aluminum.

I don't want to argue with people but get a little tired when keyboard warriors want to criticize a piece of scuba history they don't know anything about.

Oh well, believe whatever you want LOL!

DH
 
As to knowledgeable fill station operators that's a joke. Too many scuba stores have people that don't even know how to read the working pressure on a tank, find the latest hydro date, etc.

"I and many friends own perfectly usable safe 71.2 steel 2250 PSI working pressure cylinders and have had to "educate" filling stations to NOT pump 3000 PSI in them as 99% have never seen anything but a 3000PSI - 80 aluminum.

I don't want to argue with people but get a little tired when keyboard warriors want to criticize a piece of scuba history they don't know anything about.

Oh well, believe whatever you want LOL!"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A big AMEN !
sdm
 
https://www.shearwater.com/products/peregrine/

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