Original U.S. WWI Named M1917 SBR Gas Mask 87th Infantry Division, 345th Infantry Regiment Grouping - 11 Items
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Original Items: Only One Grouping Available. The 87th Division was a National Army division, made up of draftees from Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana and Mississippi. It was activated at Camp Pike, Arkansas on 25 August 1917. Like many units, the 87th Division was used to furnish personnel for other units scheduled for earlier overseas departure. Before November 1917, most of the enlisted men were transferred to other units (2,400 to the 81st Division, 3,000 to the 31st Division, and 8,000 to the 39th Division). The division was reconstituted from draftees drawn from the Midwest. Between January and June 1918, 40,000 men arrived at Camp Pike, but 30,000 left. The 87th Division lost more than 20,000 men, and numbered 15,000 men in June 1918. It was again reconstituted, with draftees mostly from New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania. It went overseas in September 1918, but was utilized as a pool of laborers by the Services of Supply, American Expeditionary Forces. It returned to the United States in January 1919 to Camp Dix, New Jersey, and was demobilized in February 1919.
The Items In This Lot:
- Size 3 M1917 SBR Gas Mask With Artwork: This is a very nice example of an M1917 SBR Gas Mask in size 3 complete with mask, filter, carry satchel, and is complete with the original instruction manual. 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 mask itself is semi “petrified” as we like to refer to them and is unable to be unfolded, so reconditioning would be required for proper display.
The outside of the satchel has lovely artwork with most appearing to have been done some time after 1939 due to “World War 1” being written on it. The term "First World War" came into use on or close to 3 September 1939. That is to say, as soon as the Second World War started. Until then it had been referred to as The Great War.
The Markings Include The Following:
WORLD WAR 1
1914-18
V
87 DIV.
CO. E. 345TH INF.
F.H.Y.
AM. EX. FORCE,
FRANCE.
On the right side of the above markings is the following:
CAMP DIX
JULY 22-1918
U.S.A.
ARMY
The front side of the gas mask satchel has the name F.H. YOUMELL and what appears to be a list of locations in chronological order of travel: ENGLAND, LIVERPOOL, KNOTTY ASH, WINCHESTER, SOUTHAMPTON, LE HAVRE, THENAC, SAINTES, ST NAZAIRE, LA ROCHELLE, LAMAUS, ROUENS, TOURS, BASINGSTOKE, NOTTINGHAM, BIRMINGHAM, SHEFFIELD, LECEISTER, ROCHEFORT, BAULING, OXFORD, CAMP NO 1, FRANCE and MONTOIR.
We have not been able to find much on Francis Howard Youmell (ASN: 3678036) except that he enlisted on July 21, 1918 and received his discharge on January 23, 1919 as a Private with the 345th Infantry Regiment.
Other Items In The Grouping:
- x3 “Overseas Caps”: The caps are (2) New York American Legion caps one being for a Past Commander, both are for Post 220. The 3rd cap appears to be a French Army Horizon Blue garrison cap.
- x4 Patches: The patches appear to be for American legion use with two of them being for “25 Years” and are more than likely membership patches.
- x2 Miniature Tapestries: These are interesting and we are unsure as to what they were used for other than display. The are both marked on the back with Factory Number 30, 2nd District New York.
- x2 Parents and Sweetheart Pillowcase: Both cases are in wonderful condition and do not appear to have ever been used. They come with their original box and packaging.
All items are in wonderful condition and come more than ready for further research and display.
- This product is available for international shipping.
- Eligible for all payments - Visa, Mastercard, Discover, AMEX, Paypal & Sezzle
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