Wooden Gas Rattle

Wooden gas rattle fitted with non-original metal handle from a post Second World War car door. The side profile of the rattle is a half pear shaped figure. All large flat pieces of wood have been sanded and have rounded edges. Thirteen large rusted iron nails were used in its construction with four of these missing. Three of these nails secure the base of the long piece of wood which strikes along the serated wooden cog wheel This serated wooden cog wheel rotates around a 10 mm diameter piece of dowel which has a large non-original metal handle from a car door attached to one side. There are circular rubbings around this dowel which indicate that the previous handle or ratchet brushed along the sides of the gas rattle. A small single natural metal nail has been partially hammered into the serrated wheel, the head of which just protrudes from the surface of the wheel. The remnants of an unknown green substance is speckled on the upper surface of the rattle.

With the introduction of modern chemical warfare in 1915, rattles such as this were used to warn people of the imminent threat or use of toxic gas by friendly or enemy forces. They were also used in Australia during the Second World War by civil defence organisations.

This example is thought to date from the Second World War. Due to a lack of manufacturer markings it is possible that this gas rattle was handmade and could have been used on the home front by civil defence organisations or even as a child's toy.

During the First World War poisonous gases such as chlorine and mustard gas were released silently from cylinders, or discharged from exploding gas artillery shells. During the Second World War chemical weapons could be dropped via aerial bombs. The distinctive noise made by gas rattles stood out amongst the other sounds heard in the trenches and nearby soldiers would rush to put on their protective gas equipment, such as respirators and hoods.

On the Australian home front during the Second World War the use of gas by the Imperial Japanese forces was greatly feared. There was extensive planning for, and equipping of civil defence organisations in, fighting the use of chemical warfare on Australian population centres. Gas rattles were used by organisations such as the National Emergency Service, Civilian Emergency Services and Air Raid Wardens, as well as in schools and factories. Other equipment, including respirators, whistles and anti-gas clothing, were also used in the defence against gas warfare.