Description:

Apollo Astronauts
n.p., n.d.
Apollo Astronaut Space Suit Hand Mold
Apparel

An Apollo-era black rubber left hand mold used in the creation of custom spacesuit gloves. Measuring 6.75" in height and approximately 4" from pinky finger to thumb; 3.25" at the base. Also molded at the bottom are ID nos. "NASA-9-6100/ A6L-103011/ T-391". A metal plate where the hand can be screwed onto the rest of the suit's cast is present at bottom middle. Exhibits expected surface wear throughout, with areas of minor rubbing and discoloration near edges of base. Otherwise, very good.

Hand and body casts were made to create custom-made spacesuits for each Apollo astronaut's shape. Traditionally, a set of three suits with custom gloves were made for each astronaut; one to be used for training, one to be used for flight, and a third as a backup suit in the event of damage to one of the others. While the specific astronaut associated with this hand mold is unknown, the resulting glove assembly that was subsequently developed would have been used with the Apollo A6L as well as the A7L and A7LB space suit configurations.

The process of making both intra-vehicular and extra-vehicular gloves for the Apollo program was to first create an appropriate size glove pressure bladder assembly. This was done by making a cast material molding of the individual astronaut's hands while in a relaxed position. From these custom-size cast moldings, detailed black rubber dipping molds were created by model makers of the astronaut's hands. The custom-sized rubber dipping molds would first have a reinforcing nylon tricot cloth that is shaped to the molds placed over each form, and would then be dipped into a proprietary process rubber/neoprene compound. These rubber hand dipping hand molds were later discarded at the end of the Apollo program.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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#SpaceAstronaut

  • Dimensions: 6.75" x 4" x 3.25"
  • Medium: Apparel

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June 4, 2025 10:00 AM EDT
Wilton, CT, US

University Archives

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $99 $10
$100 $299 $20
$300 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $2,999 $200
$3,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 + $5,000