The later Triplex lens style (a cellulose acetate lens sandwiched between glass ones) became more popular, and alongside plain cellulose acetate they became the standard into the 1930s. Glass and mica were quite brittle and needed frequent replacement. The first gas masks mostly used circular lenses made of glass, mica or cellulose acetate to allow vision. Many filters provide protection from both types. Filters against specific chemical agents can last up to 20 hours.Īirborne toxic materials may be gaseous (for example, chlorine or mustard gas), or particulates (such as biological agents). Most combined gas mask filters will last around 8 hours in a biological or chemical situation. The gas mask only protects the user from digesting, inhaling, and contact through the eyes (many agents affect through eye contact). Most gas masks are also respirators, though the word gas mask is often used to refer to military equipment (such as a field protective mask), the scope used in this article. The mask forms a sealed cover over the nose and mouth, but may also cover the eyes and other vulnerable soft tissues of the face. Army soldier ( USAWC photo) Indian muleteers and mule wearing gas masks, France, FebruA Polish MUA gas mask, used in the 1970s and 1980sĪ gas mask is an item of personal protective equipment used to protect the wearer from inhaling airborne pollutants and toxic gases. 1915 Zelinsky–Kummant protivogaz, designed in 1915, was one of the first modern-type full-head protection gas masks with a detachable filter and eyelet glasses, shown here worn by U.S. For peacetime uses, including masks designed to filter gasses and particles, see elastomeric respirator.

Firstly the press studs normally used have been replaced with brass studs that engage with holes in the lid flap: The studs themselves are secured by a complex ‘star’ of stitching: On the base the three round grills to allow air in to the respirator canister have been replaced with eight reinforced holes: Generally the fabric is a little coarser than its British equivelant, but the quality is much closer to the mother country than say Indian produced webbing.For the mask used to inhale the gas through, see Mask § Functional masks.

The bag itself is clearly based on the British version, but with several key changes.

With a massive cotton and weaving industry India was well geared up for producing equipment like this. It appears that India did not manufacture its own masks (if anyone knows different please let me know), importing them from Britain, however it did make the bags for them. Tonight we are looking at an Indian made gas mask bag.

To counter this all the armies in the conflict issued gas masks to their troops and these of course needed bags or canisters to carry them in. Although as dangerous to the operator as to the enemy, and of dubious tactical use, gas was a terrifying weapon, and to those brought up on stories of soldiers drowning in their own bodily fluids on the battlefield, it is easy to see why there was widespread fear. Following the horror of World War One, it is unsurprising that throughout the interwar period there was a widespread belief that gas would be widely used on the battlefield.

English ww2 gas mask bag