Item:
ONJR22RAJ093

In stock

Original Imperial Japanese WWII Navy Radio Operator Type 97 No. 1 Mk. 2 Gas Mask With Filter and Harness

Regular price $250.00

Sale price

Compare at $350.00

Item Description

Original Item: Only One Available. The Imperial Japanese Navy was the navy of the Empire of Japan from 1868 to 1945, when it was dissolved following Japan's surrender in World War II. The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) was formed between 1952–1954 after the dissolution of the IJN.

The Imperial Japanese Navy was the third largest navy in the world by 1920, behind the Royal Navy and the United States Navy (USN). It was supported by the Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service for aircraft and air strike operation from the fleet. It was the primary opponent of the Western Allies in the Pacific War.

The origins of the Imperial Japanese Navy go back to early interactions with nations on the Asian continent, beginning in the early medieval period and reaching a peak of activity during the 16th and 17th centuries at a time of cultural exchange with European powers during the Age of Discovery. After two centuries of stagnation during the country's ensuing seclusion policy under the shōgun of the Edo period, Japan's navy was comparatively backward when the country was forced open to trade by American intervention in 1854. This eventually led to the Meiji Restoration. Accompanying the re-ascendance of the Emperor came a period of frantic modernization and industrialization. The navy had several successes, sometimes against much more powerful enemies such as in the Sino-Japanese War and the Russo-Japanese War, before being largely destroyed in World War II.

This is a lovely Imperial Japanese Navy Type 97 Radio Operator Gas Mask, also known as the Type 97 No. 1 Mk. 2 mask. This special gas mask was designed for radio operators or officers who needed the extra diaphragm to communicate and give orders. It is very similar to the other versions, the main difference is the diaphragm at the front and the exhale valve on the left side. There was only a carry bag provided to store and carry the mask while the canvas harness system on the filter was meant to just carry the filter itself.

Some Special Naval Landing Force troops carried a Japanese Navy issued gas mask with them. The gas mask was stored in a canvas bag secured by a small belt. A flexible tube ran from the gas mask to a canister worn on the back with adjustable canvas straps supporting it. The two common gas masks were the Type 93 and Type 97, which saw use by the SNLF extensively during the late 1930s, with sporadic use continuing throughout the entire Pacific War.

The condition is fair with a good amount of the mask cracked, torn and extremely dried out. There are various repairs that were done to the mask by gluing pieces back together that have torn. The mask itself displays wonderfully and has an oddly beautiful display appearance. The hose is in similar condition and is also dried, cracked and torn in a few spots. The canister and metal components still retain much of the original gray paint they were finished in. The harness is in good condition but the shoulder straps were cut off and removed, more than likely when it was brought back home.

These masks are exceptionally rare as most of them end up on the ocean floor, so finding a mask in any condition is welcomed.

Comes more than ready for further research and display.

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