It's a Marston Deloford Portable Safety Boat. I took a few photos:
- Manufacturer's plate - note the serial and 1929 patent date.
- About six feet long, folds to around four feet. Rubberised fabric with pockets for air bladders.
- Tiny bronze rowlocks
- Tubular steel framework that adjusts for tension
Brochure can be seen here, scroll down..
http://www.localhistory.scit.wlv.ac.uk/ ... nbeam5.htm
The rubberised canvas is pretty much gone, but sufficient survives for a pattern. The bladders along the side could be manufactured from inner tubes.
The boat is up for sale, the owner, Gordon, is a nice chap and he is looking for maybe £100 for this very rare item. I don't really want to post his phone number up here but PM me if you want to speak to him and I'll mail it to you. This item will be collection only, I'm pretty sure.
