Mustard gas testing kit testing reagent papers

Folded cardboard testing reagents sleeve. The sleeve contains two rows of three celluloid pockets stitched on to the inside bottom page. The pockets are numbered from the top row left to right; 'SD', 'F', 'A', 'N', 'PLAIN PAPERS' and the last pocket is unnamed. Several pockets contain circular paper strips within a semi-transparent envelope.

This testing reagents sleeve formed part of a mustard gas testing kit, which is a rare surviving type example of the mustard gas testing kits produced in Australia. In response to national concerns that Japan would employ gas warfare, measures were taken and a range of defensive anti-gas equipment was produced for the Australian forces and civilians domestically. As there are no painted military markings or arrows on the kit, it is likely to have been used in an Australian Civil Defence or an Air Raid Precaution depot during the Second World War.