Item Description
Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very nice example of an M1917 SBR Gas Mask in size 2 complete with mask, filter, carry satchel, and has writing on the satchel which made it possible to identify. The mask is in a very delicate condition, as most examples found today are.
There are some missing pieces, tears in the fabric and both lenses are cracked and darkened. The mask definitely has a very worn, “salty” look to it, one that was definitely worn in a combat zone.
The case features the typical name and locations the soldier went to. In this case it belonged to Sergeant First Class Bernard Suino who was a member of Company A, 107th Field Signal Battalion of the 32nd Infantry Division.
Truly a beautiful example of a personalized M1917 carrying case from WWI. Comes ready to display!
Of the 5,250,000 gas masks of all types produced by the U.S. during the war, 1.6 million of them were the improved version of the British SBR. This mask was officially known as the U.S. Corrected English Small Box Respirator or the U.S. Corrected English Model (CEM). Produced in six sizes (1 through 6) from January to March 1918, the CEM was one of the two most commonly worn American made gas masks used by the AEF.
Despite complaints from France regarding the British SBRs uncomfortable mouthpiece and its despised hated nose-clip, American gas experts determined that this type of respirator provided the best protection. Ever since the failure of the ASBR, American gasmask designers toiled to modify, improve, and ultimately make the American version of the SBR more comfortable, more reliable and stronger than the English mask that it mirrored. After numerous revisions, by October of 1917, the design had been perfected. Upon passing a comprehensive battery of field tests, the CEM respirator went into full scale production in January of 1918. It would be the very first U.S. made gasmask to see service in the gas soaked trenches of the Western Front.
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