BACKGROUND: With the development of poisonous gasses used as offensive weapons in WWI appropriate defensive gasmasks also had to be developed. The German WWI M1915 and M1917 gasmasks evolved into the Weimar Reichswehr era, (National Defence Force, Circa 1919-1933), M24 gasmask and eventually into the M30 and M38 gasmasks used in WWII. All German Army personnel were issued with a gasmask, carrying canister and accessories and were required to have it readily available at all times. Although the use of chemical warfare agents was considered by the German OKW, Oberkommando der Wehrmacht, (High Command of the Armed Forces), fear of Allied retribution forced them to reconsider and shelf the idea. Fear of the potential use of chemical warfare agents made the gasmask and canister a constant companion of the German soldier through-out the war. The M30 gasmasks were produced in a rubberized canvas with metal fittings while the M38 gasmasks were produced in molded, rubber and were also equipped with metal fittings. Both gasmasks were utilized through-out he war. Of Note: One third of the gasmasks issued to Kriegsmarine, ({War} Navy), personnel were equipped with the unique addition of a microphone port bushing positioned on the right hand side "cheek" of the mask that was designed to accept a screw on microphone as required. Although the masks with the additional microphone port bushing were intended solely for select Kriegsmarine personnel they were also utilized by other German armed forces personnel on a limited basis. When issued, the gasmask came equipped with, one of a variety of, removable breathing filters and assorted accessories and was issued in a specifically designed carrying canister. Originally the first pattern gasmask carrying canisters were roughly, 9 5/8", (24.5cm), tall, until a second, roughly, 10 3/4", (27.5cm), tall, pattern was introduced on November 26^TH 1941. The taller, (November 1941 pattern), gasmask canisters were a waterproofed version with a rubber seal incorporated beneath the fold back top lid. Further production of the earlier, non-waterproofed version was discontinued as per regulations sometime in late 1942.

GRADE *** 1/2                             PRICE $365.00