I don't have it yet, I actually do live in Rabaul, and post these days takes months. Simple, cheap, comfortable and reasonably effective over 29 million M2s were produced during the World War I. These factors resulted in the M2 being withdrawn and the more complex and expensive canister types replacing it by the end of WWI. Also after extended use condensation would soak the bag making the M2 increasingly ineffective. This caused problems as soldiers would wear the M2 in preference to the more effective types, even removing other types to don the comfortable M2 during gas attacks, with predictable results. The type was more comfortable than the British Box types and French ARS Tissot types etc, but less effective. The one piece M2 was a logical evolution of the ‘pad-mask and goggles’. The design allowed circulation of air within the bag, helping to stop the lenses clouding up, a problem with the earlier French two piece ‘pad-mask and goggle’ types (the French Tampon Series, P to TN). Originally the design had a single rectangular glass and cellulose window, but these were difficult to clean and tended to break when folding the mask for storage. The upper part of the bag and veil had two round eyeholes, covered with cellulose lenses, crimped into alloy frames the joins of which were sealed by mastic (a tar like substance). soaking it, but loose enough to allow free airflow to all outside surfaces of the bag. A waterproof veil (waxed cotton or painted ‘tar cloth’) hung from the top seam loosely covering the front of the permeable bag to stop rain etc. The wearer simple breathed through the thick, chemical impregnated permeable bag. The layered gauze bag was impregnated with chemicals designed to neutralize various gases. Because of its appearance when worn American soldiers nick-named it the ‘Duckbill’. The adjustable straps meant the bag fitted tightly under the chin and across the cheeks and forehead. French designed and made ‘Modèle 1916 Masque à Gaz M2’ issued to French Belgium British and American troops during WWI, from April 1916 to August 1918.Ĭonsisting of a multilayered cotton gauze or cheese-cloth bag (similar in fit to a horse’s nose bag), with substantial canvas and elastic straps. Can anyone identify the paper, and the date? But my main question is about the piece of paper stuck to the mastic lens sealer! I can see that it is from probably a WWI period American news paper.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |