Abstract: A composite pressure vessel includes retaining rings at opposite ends of a side wall structure having circumferentially spaced oppositely facing tabs thereon about which longitudinal tension windings are progressively wrapped back and forth in a continuous manner around the circumference of the vessel. Between the tabs at opposite ends of the vessel are oppositely tapered ramp surfaces providing a transition for the longitudinal tension windings from a first diameter axially inwardly of the retaining rings to a second, smaller diameter adjacent the axial outer ends of the tabs, which places the retaining rings in compression in a circumferential direction. Each of the retaining rings has a generally cylindrical support surface adjacent the axial outer ends of the tabs for supporting the generally circumferential extending portions of the longitudinal tension windings thereon. The tabs have sides which taper toward each other in the direction of the axial outer ends of the tabs.