
Rare, complete unit manufactured by Grumman for the Apollo LM, the thin shield at the top of the spacecraft. Detail photos below.
The ‘dump valve’ in the upper hatch was designed to depressurize the LM cabin once the astronauts have donned their Portable Life Support System (PLSS) backpacks and spacesuits prior to opening the lower egress hatch for a moonwalk. The valve could also be used to equalize pressure in the docking tunnel. The hatch would swing inwards into the LM crew quarters, allowing the astronauts to pass through the docking tunnel between the LM and CM.
Early unit, circa 1967-1968, measuring 31.5″ x 43.5″ x 8″, with numerous part numbers stenciled in red, beginning with the “LDW280” prefix denoting Lunar Module. The front is marked “LDW280M10515-1” and “LDW280M10515-3,” with the hatch handle labeled “Unlock” and “Lock,” and the valve handle labeled “Dump Valve Access.” The reverse, which would face the interior of the spacecraft, has a black-and-yellow handle labeled, “Pull to Dump.” A separate instruction label reads: “Latch Operation: 1. To Lock—Push on handle and rotate CW to stop, 2. To Unlock—Push on handle and rotate CCW to stop.” At the top of the hatch is a folding handle marked, “Pull to Release.”
An artifact in the Future Ventures 🚀 Space Collection.
and diagram labels of the same:
External side: 
External Dump Valve Handle
Internal Dump Valve and Door Handles
Part Number Stamps from Apollo: 




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