Relic hunting in Verdun

**Irish1965** · 07-20-2020, 06:55 PM

Hi everyone,

In the Corona crisis the border to France opened on time for my vacation. It took me to the battered city of Verdun. At last I found (in a antiques shop) a German M17 gasmask in perfect condition. It was still in it's canister with straps. On the outside the paint of the canister is mostly gone except on the bottom. Inside is mint.

Check it out.

I put it on a dummy head with a M17 helmet. Also from Verdun. I got that one last year.

Also found some parts of German smoke or training stickgranates on a flea market. Of course I did put them together. Strangly the different parts were sold by different seller on this local flea market.

Check them out.

5,5 seconds till detonation. Made by AEG. They make washing machines nowadays; don't they?

**AZPhil** · 07-20-2020, 06:59 PM

Very nice mask find.
It looks like the material is still flexable and I love the eye lenses on these.

Semper Fi
Phil

**BrodieBartfast** · 07-20-2020, 07:02 PM

One of the benefits of the M1917 being made of leather, is that it remains flexible over a hundred years later.

Nice pickups!

B.B.

**Irish1965** · 07-20-2020, 07:24 PM

Hi B.B.

The leather is smooth and flexible. amazing after 100+ years.

Paul

**MAP** · 07-20-2020, 07:55 PM

Nice stuff but my neck is hurting from looking sideways

**BrodieBartfast** · 07-20-2020, 08:10 PM

by Irish1965

Hi B.B.

The leather is smooth and flexible. amazing after 100+ years.

Paul

Not surprised at all. I love these masks! Here's my own, 1918 production. This one fitted with the late war 'Schnappdeckel' filter. Is yours dated?

Regards, B.B.

**Irish1965** · 07-20-2020, 08:57 PM

I haven't found a date yet. Just got back from holiday. I will investigate. On the filter there was no date. Like your mask specially with the 'Schnapdeckel'.

**Irish1965** · 07-20-2020, 09:00 PM

Couldn't adjust it. Try to but didn't work out. Good luck with your neck. Ain't war hell ;-).

Cheers Paul

**AndyM35** · 07-20-2020, 09:37 PM

Great stuff! Amazing that there are still things like this sitting in antiques shops. Looks great with the helmet!
Andy

**Irish1965** · 07-21-2020, 10:15 AM

Hi B.B.

I just learned that the "Schnappdeckel' was not a protection against contermnation before use, but an add-on or update.

In mid 1917 or mid 1918 (depending on who you read) the Germans introduced a snap-on filter attachment designed to counteract the effects of diphenylchlorarsine aka Blue Cross. The filter on the right has this attachment. (Quote: The great War forum - Hans K. 2014)

Interesting fact.

Cheers Paul