Gas mask bag : United States Army

Place North & Central America: United States of America
Accession Number REL/17987.012
Collection type Heraldry
Object type Personal Equipment
Physical description Canvas, Metal, Paper, String
Maker Unknown
Place made United States of America
Date made c 1918
Conflict First World War, 1914-1918
Description

Khaki canvas bag to carry an American Corrected English Box Respirator, with a flap secured by two black metal dot fasteners, and a lightweight khaki webbing shoulder strap with a black metal slide for length adjustment and a quick release catch on one side. The inside of the flap is stamped in black, 'L-18-44-1426-A'. There are two metal 'D' rings attached a third of the way up from the bottom of the bag, through which string is threaded, passing from one D ring, behind the wearer's back to the other D ring, to hold the bag close to the wearer's chest. The loose end of the string is secured to the base of the shoulder strap and has a small cardboard sleeve tied to it, which contains a gas mask usage card and tape to make repairs to the gas mask.

History / Summary

After the entry of the United States into the First World War in April 1917 the US forces were equipped with a mixture of equipment from British, French and US sources. This type of gas mask bag is an American modified copy of the popular British and Commonwealth gas mask haversack.

The haversack was positioned against the wearer's chest, suspended from the neck by its strap, and tied around the wearer's back with fine cord or string to hold it securely in place. The flap was positioned inwards, against the wearer's chest, to allow for quick access and retrieval of the gas mask.