German 'Lederschutzmaske' gas mask

German 'Lederschutzmaske' (Leather protection mask) gas mask. The mask is made from a single piece of chrome-tanned sheepskin dipped in an oil sealant solution. The single seam running under the chin and the folded edge of the mask are coated with a black sealant lacquer partially made from rubber. The circular eyepieces are made of two layers of yellowed celluloid, set in painted circular steel frames with leather gaskets where they are let into the mask. Internally, the eyepieces have removable metal 'spiders' enabling the inner layer (which was coated with gelatine to absorb moisture) to be replaced. The right 'spider' fitted to the mask has some of the inner circular metal piece missing. Khaki cotton head straps are connected to coiled springs inside cotton sleeves to keep mask in place. A long khaki cotton webbing strap attached near the chin enables the mask to be suspended around the neck.

A rusted and scratched grey-green canister filter unit is attached to the mask. When the canister is removed an embossed 'H2' can be seen on the outside circular metal mounting surface of the mask. On the canister is stamped in faded blue ink '9u'. The remnants of a small manufacturer's stamp are also barely visible. The bottom of the canister is heavily rusted and through these rusted holes can be seen some of the white coloured filter lining. At the top of the canister mount, along the middle of the gas mask is a hook for the attachment of a length of ersatz paper cord (which is missing) which is normally threaded between the eyes to a leather loop on the gas mask above the forehead of the wearer.

The Germans used both leather 'leder' and rubber 'gummi' masks during the First World War. Sometimes referred to as 'model 1917', after the year of its introduction, this style of gas mask was also known as the 'Ledermaske (Gasmaske 17)'. The spoked metal devices on the inside of both lenses were known informally as 'spiders'. These were removed on the improved Gasmaske 18.

The gas mask carry case was known as a 'Lederschutzmaske (Bereitschaftsbuchen)'. This case contained a small compartment in the folding lid for spare set of lenses and usually contained an instruction sheet at the bottom explaining how to use the gas mask.

Due to the effective Royal Navy blockade of German ports, apart from the metal, ersatz (substitute) materials were also used in the production of gas masks and cans.

The gas filters which were fitted to these German gas masks in the First World War had an un-modified standard Osram brand street light screw fitting. This commercially successful innovation was utilised in the construction of the filters to enable their quick change and in the fitting of enhanced versions of filters as required without discarding the mask itself.

Collected by 7159 Private Horace Alchin, who enlisted from Crookwell, NSW on 7 August 1917, aged 21. He served with 17th Battalion AIF in 1918 and joined the Australian Graves Detachment when it was raised in early 1919. It is thought that he collected this item while serving with the latter unit.