US Divers double hose reg identification question

[Scubaroo]

Hi,

Just scored a double hose reg off eBay, but am having trouble identifying the particular model. It is a Aqua-Lung DA "aqua-master" 2 stage regulator, which I believe to be a very common model, however it has an orange label, instead of the blue label I've seen on every other reg of this model. I've attached a picture of the reg.

The US Divers address on the reg is 11201 West Pico Boulevard, which dates the reg to between 1956 to 1959, according to Vintage Scuba Supply, however the same source says that this reg only started manufacture in 1958, and for the first two years (1958/1959) did not have a serialised nameplate. So my best guess is that this regulator one of the earliest serialised regulators from maybe late 1959? There are no hoses on the regulator (just the body), so I don't know if it originally had yellow or black hoses - my intention is to restore this reg to it's original condition, and I have only seen sources for replacement black hoses for US Divers regulators - if anyone with more information on this particular regulator could post I would greatly appreciate it.

Also the reg is missing the yoke nut - does anybody have an old trashed US Divers first stage that they'd be willing to sell me the old style all-metal yoke nut from? I was looking at picking up an old reg from eBay for spares, but if anybody could help me out with that it would be much appreciated.

thanks!

 

[Hallmac]

I have some old service manuals for some of these at the shop and so far have had pretty good luck finding parts. Give me a few days I'll see what I can turn up.

Hallmac

 

[pescador775]

I probably have a USD yoke screw laying around my locker. Ten bucks if I find it. PM me tomorrow if interested. Do you want a plain, original one or one that says US Divers on it?

Although USD did make a few orange label regs, the reg in the picture appears to be a blue label which has lost its paint. Mfgt in France, USD started selling these in 1958 and yours could be a '59-60 but regs shown in a '59 cat did not have a serial no. It wouldn't surprise me if USD kept selling regs with the Pico address until the supply of labels ran out. Originally, it would have had yellow hoses and a straight mouthpiece but I don't know if this particular reg had a yellow or black, either is possible. There is no source for yellow USD hoses. These were known for rapid deterioration due to the pigment.

 

[Scubaroo]

Actually pescador775, I think you're right - it does look like bare brass in the photo now that you've made that suggestion. I'm still waiting for the reg to arrive, that's one of the pictures from the eBay auction, so I can't verify it in person.

Thanks for the offer of a yoke screw - let me try and track down which (plain/US Divers branded) screw would have been on the original for that year. I want to restore this reg to diving condition, but would like it to be as authentic as possible.

 

[Scubaroo]

Apparently www.vintageaqualungs.com in the UK will be bringing out both green and yellow reproduction hoses for old regulators, around February 2003. Hopefully someone like Vintage Scuba Supply here in the states will pick them up for resale.

 

[Wildstar1063]

I magnified the image using a paint
program, and you can see traces of the
old blue paint all over it

Chuck

 

[pescador775]

The Brits et al have been working on some of the supply problems for old 2 hose. VintageScubaSupply gets their duckbills from Scotland.

 

[Scubaroo]

Does anyone know when US Divers stopped using the straight mouthpieces in favor of the curved design?

The reg arrived today - pretty much as described. Needs some cleaning inside and out, but looks reworkable into a diveable regulator.

 

[Scubaroo]

Well another reg came up on eBay today - the faceplate is the same as mine, and the serial number within 2000 units. So the same batch of regs pretty much.

The original reg then was configured as follows:

- yellow hoses
- straight black mouthpiece
- plastic hose clamps with metal screws
- plain yoke screw

Turns out mine just has a faded label, and is missing the gold crown decal.

thanks for everyone's help