WW1 German M17 Gasmask with Canister - unit marked

Description

World War 1 German Model 1917 Gasmask with Canister (GM17 Gasmaske in Dose). Poison gas was a new weapon during the First World War and was first used by the German Army in 1915. The British and French Armies soon followed suit. Although good protective equipment was initially quite slow to develop, masks like this one eventually reduced poison gas to a major annoyance rather than the terrifying killer of the early attacks. The GM17 leather type gasmask is complete with a 1918 dated filter and spare glasses, stored in its original field-grey painted canister. The canister is having an incomplete part of the carrying strap attached. The gasmask is in used but supple condition showing various markings. The canister is showing the painted on name and unite on the lid, named to soldier 'Kühne' from the '2.Komp.XIII 8'. Rare original WW1 Gasmask!

Please note: for collector purposes only, this gasmask is not intended for actual wear or usage!