Object Record
Images
Metadata
Title |
Gas Mask, Case, Anti-Dimming Stick, and Instructions, c. 1917-1918 (WWI) |
Object Name |
Mask, Gas |
Description |
Gas Mask (1), Case (2), Anti-Dimming Stick (3), and Instructions (4) c. 1917-1918 (WWI). Case and gas mask used in WWI. Tan rectangular canvas case (2), designed to hold gas mask. Canvas divider sewn inside of bag to divide into two sections. Side constructed to hold gas mask canister has metal spring at bottom, for canister to sit on. Other side holds mask. Printed letter inside of circle on top of satchel flap reads, "A". Metal clasp with pegs hold satchel flap shut. Metal rivets attach front of flap to the body of bag. Two square metal rings attached to opposite sides. Tan canvas fabric strap sewn on each side with four metal buckles to adjust strap length. Tan canvas tab sewn to top of strap attaches a metal buckle. Metal buckle can be attached to side hook, to adjust strap length. Inside satchel contains a gas mask (1) that has a rectangular oval canister with ridges and is painted green. Bottom has indented circular metal piece with vents. Tan cloth covered ridged tubing protrudes from top of canister. Paper booklet instruction manual (4) attached by string to tubing. Instruction manual has a brown envelope with cream colored paper booklet within that is printed with the instructions. Tubing attaches to black metal handle with a plastic tongue. Black metal tube opens to a hole into mask with white plastic mouth piece. Tan canvas mask with two circular eye holes trimmed with metal rings, eye hole plastic covers missing. Black elastic straps attached to back of mask, to secure head in mask. Alongside gas mask is an Anti-Dimming Stick for Gas Masks (3) inside of canvas case. Anti-Dimming Stick is a metal tube cylindrical in shape. Anti-Dimming Stick is painted yellow and has black text printed around tube. |
Date |
c. 1917-1918 |
Catalog Number |
1972.514.001 |
Collection |
3D - Regulative & Protective Tools & Equipment |
Creator |
Unknown |
Role |
Manufacturer |
Inscription Text |
"A" (Drawn on front of case flap (2)); "P18-32-1290" (Printed on inside flap of case (2)); "S / 140547" (Drawn on front of case and are stylized (2)); "148FA" (Drawn on back of case (A)) "Btry A" (Drawn on right back corner of case (2)); "SM" (Drawn stylized monogram on side of case (2)); "254XJ / CANCO" (Top of gas mask canister (1)); "30" (Printed on side of tubing on gas mask (1)); "3 / 242T 446" (Printed below eye holes on gas mask (1)); "THIS ENVELOPE CONTAINS / INSTRUCTIONS / RECORD CARD / TAPE FOR REPAIRS / SAFETY PIN / FOR ADJUSTING HARNESS" (Printed on instruction manual (4)); "THIS CAN CONTAINS / ANTI-DIMMING STICK / FOR GAS MASKS. / INSTRUCTIONS FOR USE / WIPE THE INNER SURFACE / OF EACH EYE PIECE CLEAN / WITH THE SOFT RAG. BREATH / ON THE CLEANED SURFACE / AND ON THE ANTI-DIMMING / STICK TO MOISTEN THEM AND / RUB THE STICK TWICE ACROSS / THE EYE PIECE. -- AGAIN / BREATHE ON THE EYE PIECE / AND RUB THE ANTI-DIMMING / COMPOSITION EVENLY OVER / THE WHOLE SURFACE WITH / THE TIP OF THE FINGER. / WHEN TO USE THE / ANTI-DIMMING STICK / THE COMPOSITION IS TO BE / APPLIED TO THE EYE PIECES OF / THE GAS MASK, WEEKLY OR / AFTER EACH TIME THAT THE / MASK HAS BEEN WORN." (Printed around side of anti-dimming composition container (3)) |
Provenance |
Gas mask kit from World War I. |
Notes |
"When the US entered the Great War in April 1917, her troops did not have a standard gas mask to use in combat. Several Masks of the Allies were evaluated and it was decided to adopt the British small box respirator for strong gases, and the French M2 for weaker gases. American manufactured masks were created based on the British Small Box Respirator..." [http://www.aef-doughboys.com/gasmask1.html 8/17/2015] "Considered uncivilised prior to World War One, the development and use of poison gas was necessitated by the requirement of wartime armies to find new ways of overcoming the stalemate of unexpected trench warfare..." [http://www.firstworldwar.com/weaponry/gas.htm 8/17/2015] |
Dimensions |
H-28 W-10.5 D-2.75 inches |
Dimension Details |
28 x 10.5 x 2.75 (Case); 22.5 x 4.875 x 5.375 (Gas mask); 2.375 X 1.125 X 1.125 (Anti-Dimming Stick) |
Search Terms |
Gas mask Military War World War 1 World War I World War One |
Subjects |
Gas masks Gas warfare War World War I |
Credit line |
Courtesy of Mrs. W.F. Schall |