Post-WW1 Industrialized Gas Masks

[Moulage]

I don't know if it's exactly appropriate for this forum, but I would like to show you guys what happened to a lot of American gas masks after WW1.

As you may know, by the end of the war chemical protection development was moving forward very quickly, and many mask designs became outdated within a few years of their conception. This led to many masks being pushed onto the civilian market at low prices. Some, like the KTM masks, survived relatively intact, only having their military filters replaced with industrial ones. As you can see, the grey filtera were usually removed and replaced with ones more suitable for industrial usage. Instead of being in the bag mounted on the user's chest, the mask would have been held in a box, mounted on a wall, until it was needed. The straps leading off to the left of the industrial KTM shown are a harness to hold it onto the user's chest. The photo on the left is from gasmasklexikon.com, unfortunately the owner Johannes Moller passed away several years ago. On the right is my photo, although the mask shown was originally his.



In this next example, we can see the same process, except this time with an earlier Akron Tissot (AT) mask. Unfortunately, AT masks are very hard to find in any condition (even hard-as-a-brick, like mine) and there's not a lot of photos of them. The one on the left is owned by an old "friend" (the same one that sold me a fake Hypo). The one in the middle is actually mine, I believe it's old owner posted it on here once, and on the right is simply a period advertisement.


Some of the earlier masks, like the CEM and RFK designs, however, were not so lucky in being industrialized. Many of them were stripped down to their key components, namely the mouthpiece/flapper valve assembly and noseclips. This practice apparently carried on for many years, and saw some revisions, as we can tell from how the noseclips on the example mask to the left seem do not match the CEM design. It is also of interest that plastic versions of these mouthpiece kits have been found. (Once again, the mask on the left is from Mr. Moller's website.)


My final example is a strange one, and we're not entirely sure of it's actual origins. I'd like to ask your opinions on it's composure, and would be more than willing to provide additional photographs if needed. What it appears to be is a full-face mask from the mid 1920's that has parts salvaged from the CEM/RFK style masks. The hose, flapper valve and the black angled connection tube all bear a resemblance to military parts.


If you would like more photos of any of these masks, or have any questions/comments, I'd love to hear them. A lot of what I do is theoretical and I don't mind being contradicted.

[Larry C]

Hi Moulage...I think its very appropriate and educational

Your data and photo support are outstanding !

Regards Larry

[Moulage]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[MAP]

Very interesting thread. Thanks!

[kradman]

I also like these threads on post war use of items , it gives you a understanding of why you can still find these items today

[reneblacky]

Though not directly post WW1, here's a WW2 equivalent

[Moulage]

René, do you own that example? Those are very rare, I've only seen one other. Australian masks in general are hard to find, but that one is rather illusive on documentation.

Thanks.

[37Webbing]

Moulage,
Thank you for feeding my habit!
Gas masks were one of the very first things that caught my interest and led me into this hobby.
I have since "branched out" to a lot of different items, but my gas masks remain some of my most priced possessions.

In Denmark something similar almost happened.
During the 1920s, the "Gas Commission of 1922" discussed the civilian use of outdated gas masks and anti-gas equipment in general.
However they decided to start from scratch and design several "civilian" and "industrial" masks, that the Army sold through private companies.
E.g.: the "M.1931 C.", the "M.1938 Civilgasmaske" and the "M.1938 G. Civilgasmaske".
The old WWI equipment was deemed insufficient and potential dangerous.

However this stance changed. In the late 1940s a lot of surplus German WWII masks were used by fire departments and was found in civilian hands. Sold off from government stocks (taken from the German occupational forces).

Again, thank you for sharing!

[reneblacky]

René, do you own that example? Those are very rare, I've only seen one other. Australian masks in general are hard to find, but that one is rather illusive on documentation.

Thanks.

Cheers Moulage yes it is in my collection this set utilizes a 42 dated US mask

[ruddersrangers44]

Great thread,are the first 2 images in fact the US M1 series mask?just thought i would ask as the face and bracket exhale vale and 6 point harness are basically the same,Rene you have an M3A1 Diaphragm,good stuff and very informative indeed.