WWI US Gas Mask

Description

10/14/25- For sale is a WWI American gas mask. The mask is the British Small Box Respirator pattern, one of the most effective mask designs deployed by the Allies. America later adopted and refined the design with a distinctive yellow painted mask can but this can is not yellow, indicating it is an earlier British or licensed production model. This is a very nice example of a WWI gas mask, complete with mask, filter cannister, cardboard instruction booklet, and carrying satchel. This is a complete mask set with a personal identification on the satchel. It reads "Pvt. Lavrn" or "Pvt. Lav. RN.". The mask is also marked as belonging to the AEF, assigned to the 1st Infantry Division. The canvas satchel is in very good condition, with only minor discoloration and no frayed stitching. The instruction booklet and filter cannister are also in very good condition, with no noticeable damage or missing components. The mask itself appears complete and has intact eye lenses and mouthpiece but it is stuck in its folded up state. After decades of storage, the rubber and canvas elements of the mask itself seem to have hardened into place, meaning the mask does not unfold. We have no attempted to unroll the mask but it MAY be possible with heat treatment or moisture. Set is in overall very good condition with note of the hardened mask itself.