MINT COMPLETE NAMED ORIG 44-DATED BRITISH ARMY LIGHTWEIGHT GAS MASK, D-DAY TYPEP

Description

This is an original British WWII lightweight gas mask, dated 1944, in superb, near mint condition and complete with all accessories including carrying case, a packet of unused gas protective eyeshields, a tin for ointment, a tin for anti-dim cloth, a cork stopper attached to the mask with a cord,
and a red fiberboard medallion stamped with the identification number and name of the British soldier who was issued the gas mask. ************* The gas mask is made of black rubber,
with gray elasticated straps and a gray-painted steel canister. The center piece for the straps is stamped with the British Army Broad Arrow proof mark, and "No. L 2, W & G, 1943." The mask itself is embossed on the side with "NORMAL," and is stamped on the bottom in white with a Broad Arrow proof and DA, Z, 25/9/44. A number "10" is lightly written at the top of the mask with chalk or grease pencil. The canister is marked in white with a Broad Arrow proof, and "EXP16, R 2, 26/9/44."  Embossed into the bottom of the canister is "EXP/U/9/44/8." The mask has clear glass lenses.  At the bottom of the canister is a cork that is inserted into the circular opening there, it is attached to a larger cork disk via a gray cotton cord. The carrying case is made of heavy OD canvas, with khaki carrying strap and closing strap. Stamped into the inside of the top flap is 'LIGHT II. 7/1944 W & [illegible], 9." There is a British War Department Broad Arrow proof with the number 153 below. Tied to one of the galvanized steel rings that holds the carrying strap is a red fiberboard disk, it is stamped with: "1973861, CE BURROWS," the service number and name of the soldier who carried the mask. In one of the side pockets on the carrying case there is a blue tin containing 8 tubes of anti-gas ointment. Stamped into the lid of the tin is "BATCH 21 JUN 1943, NO. 123, B.M.L." The outside of the tin reads "OINTMENT ANTI-GAS NO. 5," along with instructions for use. The back side of the tin has illustrated instructions for use, along with I2 M8 /7/42 I." An inside pocket of the case contains a cardboard envelope with "EYESHIELDS, Anti-Gas." There are 4 eyeshields inside, these are clear acetate or plastic with elasticated gray cloth straps and white felt padding. The outside of the cardboard envelope has instructions for use, including the use of a Gas Alarm. A date of 10/1942 is stamped at the bottom. At the bottom of the case is a khaki pocket that closes with a snap, this contains a gold-colored steel tin, labeled "OUTFIT, ANTI-DIMMING MK VI." On one side it is stamped with "No. 342 I MB 13 5/42," and on the other, instructions for how to use the anti-dim cloth and ointment inside. ************* The mask and its case and accessories are in very fine condition, issued but never used. The rubber of the mask is semi-flexible, with no damage of any kind, the elastic of the straps is in fine shape, the lenses are clear with no cracks or other damage. The tins are in fine shape. The eyeshields are packed in a paper wrapper, the eyeshields are in good condition, but some of the paper adheres to them. The fiberboard disk is in fine shape and clearly legible.  A very nice example of the British WWII lightweight gas mask, in as-issued condition. ************ This type of lightweight gas mask was developed in 1941 to replace the Service Respirator of the box type, or the Small Box Respirator. It was the most common form of gas mask used in the ETO during the Normandy invasion and thereafter.
************ I can ship worldwide. Buyer pays exact shipping costs only. I am happy to combine multiple purchases into a single parcel to save on shipping costs.