Red anodized metal dual-position purge valve produced by Air-Lock for the Apollo space suit, measuring approximately 2″ in diameter and 3″ long, with a 4.5″ long lock pin cable terminating in a 'red apple' pull, engraved on one end with part numbers, "A6L-505000-05, Assy 9254-03, SN-209," and hand-etched, "Class III." In fine condition. This valve has been authenticated by Bill Ayrey, company historian at ILC Dover, the manufacturer of the Apollo, Shuttle, and Space Station suits, and is accompanied by a letter of authenticity. The purge valve was fitted to the chest of the Apollo suit during EVA and would be opened in the case of PLSS failure so that the astronaut could use the emergency oxygen supply stored in the OPS. In the event of PLSS failure, the astronaut would pull the lock pin out using the ‘red apple,’ then activate the emergency oxygen supply. The oxygen would flow out of the OPS, through a regulator, into the suit, and then out through the purge valve. The valve has two flow settings: a low flow rate of 4 pounds per hour and a high flow of 8 pounds per hour, which would provide additional cooling. The distinctive 'red apple' pull is easily identifiable in most images of astronauts performing EVAs during the Apollo missions.
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