gasmask bag and strap.... unusal or not?

[ILH]

Had this gas mask bag kicking about for a while, but have yet to see another with the hose hole on the bottom left, does anyone know exactly what it is?
Also is Maple a british or Canadian manufacturer?
The strap came from a different source and i'm wondering if there is a signifigance to the different brass bits?
cheers,
jim.

[NCA]

Maple is a British company...I've seen this bag before in pics.i'm sure its something to do with Firefighters....I think a long hose came out of it attached to a pump so Firemen could enter smoke filled buildings.

[NCA]

I knew i'd seen it somewhere!Osprey Elite 'The British Home Front.' 1939-1945.

There is a pic of an ARP rescue man using one.It had an extra long hose that had air supplied at one end by a bellows pump.Specialised kit and a bit rare!Nice.

[karkee]

I think the "VIA" designation on the strap also denotes a long hose gas mask.

Very nice item!

[Roger M]

I was going through the ARP Training Manual No.3 Rescue Service Manual and I found this illustration and instructions which reminded me of this thread. So here is the relevant part for this set.

[ILH]

Cheers Roger, that's great....twice over!
Now I know what that leather buckle piece is for (thought it was 39pattern).
:-D

[Roger M]

Glad you like the pics, here is another one from further in the book. Not the clearest picture but it provides some insight into its use.