Gas Mask Carrier with US style fasteners
Members,
My new mask rig has finally arrived. The set is a mis-match as it is an early type bag with a Schlem Maska 41 inside. Matters not as I bought it primarily for the carrier. The front closure on this carrier is secured with a pair of metal fasteners in a style know to collectors of U.S. field gear from WW1 and WW2 as "Lift the Dot" or "KLIK-IT" fasteners as these names are often stamped into them on U.S. Equipment. Not sure of the origin of the fastener style, but again almost universal on U.S. equipment during and before WW2. The fasteners on this mask carrier are in nickel plated brass as opposed to the blackened brass seen on U.S. gear. I had seen what appeared to be this style of fasteners in a wartime photo, but this is the first original example I have every seen... much less owned.
This set is probably a military stocks, put together set. I say this because the bag and mask both have stamps indicating Hungarian ownership at one time. The bag flap is marked with a nice Soviet stamp, but also note the K.A.B. this is a Hungarian acceptance mark. Also on the mask is a small circle stamp also with K.A.B., but also with the crown of the Hungarian monarchy. This should indicate that the mask was accepted into stocks either during the war or the very early postwar Tildy era. I think this is so because the crown of the monarchy was quickly abolished and banned by the soon installed Socialist government.
.
Bookmarks