Rare gas mask

[Deruelle]

Hi everybody,

I post this morning some photos I received. And Rick wants to create a new topic about this photo. Like I'm not a specialist in this aera and I never had one in my collection. The purist will love it

Christophe

[Deruelle]

This officer is ready for the assault. Look at the C96 !

Just compare with another photo I had this morning

Christophe

[Deruelle]

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[Deruelle]

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[Les]

Christophe,

I added a reply to the photo in the original post on the mask.

The NCO wearing the "odd" mask, is wearing a pre-war Draeger made mask. Prior to WWI, the firm specialized in developing and selling mine rescue breathing equipment.

The standard German infantry mask worn during the war severely limited the ability of men to see very much going on around them. In order to see what was happening to one side, it was necessary to turn the head. Also, the masks made it very difficult to communicate because people found it was almost impossible to communicate with each other clearly. Later in the war, special "buzzer" type sound systems were added to masks meant for NCOs and officers, but these were at best an iffy compromise feature.

Some personnel required being able to see clearly while operating equipment such as trains, ambulance wagons, ammunition wagons, etc. There were also other men who needed to be heard clearly (men operating telephone equipment, etc). Some, but not all of them, were issued specialized Draeger masks with separate eye masks, a nose clip, and a separate mouth piece that could be taken out for speaking, and then replaced so the man could take a breath.

There were also masks worn by men who could not wear a standard infantry gas mask because of facial deformities, wounds, missing teeth, and other factors that would prevent the mask from providing a good seal against gas. Beards and facial hair by the way, prevent a good seal against gas and is one of the reasons beards seem to be relatively uncommon later in the war among front-line units in the west.

Les

[Les]

By the way, there was also a mask made for horses and even message carrying dogs. I've seen photos of dogs with them, but never one with a horse having a mask on. Anyone have one of those?

Les

[Chip]

Christophe,

As Les says, the Draeger (Selbstretter) in the first photo is a special apparatus used for several purposes. It was not a general purpose device and there were training courses for those who would use them. I would not think that it would have been used as an assault mask, as it was too cumbersome and was meant too deliver oxygen to the wearer. It could be used to treat gas victims.

This is one such specialty mask, also made by Draeger and used by drivers and others with military occupations that required better sight. It is called the "A.m.E.-Ger?t". It came with a separate pair of goggles that was carried in a leather waist pouch.

Edited May 28, 2009 by Chip

[Les]

This is one such specialty mask, also made by Draeger and used by drivers and others with military occupations that required better sight. It is called the "A.m.E.-Ger?t". It came with a separate pair of goggles that was carried in a leather waist pouch.

Chip,

I had one of those I sold to Bill Combs about two years ago. Mine had also had the eyepieces, and came in a pressed steel gas mask can painted fieldgrey, that was about three and a half inches in diameter, and a little over ten inches long. The can also had papecloth straps on it.

Christophe, here's a photo from my collection. It appears to be a training exercise. The officer in the foreground is wearing the identical type mask in the photo you posted. In his right hand is a kugelgrenate and with the left hand, he's holding the muzzle of a Gew98. The man behind him is wearing a standard infantry mask.

Les

Edited May 30, 2009 by Les

[Guest Rick Research]

:Cat-Scratch: THERE was a nasty Accident Waiting To Happen!!! :speechless1:

[Deruelle]

Very nice photo Chip, thanks for sharing it with us. Two photos of rare gaz mask, great. Probably some others members have the same gaz mask in photo in their collection. Wait and see !

Christophe

[Chip]

Les,

I have the carrying can too. The only thing missing on the whole rig is the neck strap that attaches to the hose.

Christophe,

Photos of this pattern in wear are known, but they are not common. Here is a driver who is wearing one.

Chip

[Les]

.......... It could be used to treat gas victims.

I found this photo on-line, showing a "Sanni" wearing the early gauge face mask and one of the respirators with an oxygen bottle. The photo does support Chip's comment that the mask could have been used for treating gas casualties, although the amount of oxygen would be limited and not be useful for treating more than one or at most two patients for a brief period of time. The medic could also use the oxygen to provide a quick dose of oxygen to important (or v.i.p.) casualties with lung wounds (gun shot, shrapnel, etc), or even for a personal energy boost.

Les

[Chip]

Thomas,

This picture above shows a Selbstretter with the smaller oxygen cylinder. There was a larger size cylinder worn with this style and there were other styles of Selbstretter with even larger O2 cylinders.

Chip