Gas mask : Landsturmmann R Hofmann, German Army

German army respirator made of pale grey or white rubberised cotton with elastic and cotton tape head straps. A long grey cotton tape strap, intended to fit loosely around the neck, (enabling the mask to be worn in the 'alert' position) has been knotted around the front under the eyepieces. The mask is held on the face by a simple pair of elastic straps sewn to cotton tapes on the upper cheeks. The edge of the mask is bound with a fine pale grey cotton fabric, the external seams of which are sealed with a black rubber compound. An illegible black circular stamp is present on the top binding above the eyepieces. The external fabric on the right hand cheek of the mask is stamped in black ink 'AGD O', and a large numeral '2' (possibly a size marking) is stamped in black below the eyepieces. A number of printed black lines and boxes on the outer fabric of the mask may be maker's guides for the positioning of seams and pleats. The eyepieces are single thicknesses of yellowish celluloid with unpainted steel rims, which are sealed into the mask with white cotton binding. There is no provision for replacing the eye pieces if scratched or misted. A grey painted circular steel plate with a threaded socket is let into the mask opposite the wearer's nose and mouth, and is also sealed with cotton binding. A narrow strip of flannel fabric is wrapped around the inner edge of the steel plate, which is unpainted. A rubber gasket at the top of the socket forms a seal when the grey-green painted steel screw-on canister is fitted. Perished remains of what may have been a viscous liquid sealant are also present in the socket. The top face of the canister is stamped in purple ink 'Nr 11/11 S.' and '"Agia" 28.2.16.'. A maker's marking, which seems to be a stylised 'H' and 'S' within a sunburst, is impressed nearby. The canister appears to have been emptied of absorbent materials at some stage, only the various gauze or mesh screens being present.

The simple cotton and elastic construction of the head straps, and the presence of unpainted steel parts of the mask indicate that this is an early example of the "Gummimaske", (also known as "Linienmaske") first issued to German troops in late 1915, and remaining in limited service until replaced in 1917 by more advanced models. The presence of elastic straps, replacing the original system of cotton ties, would suggest that this particular item is not one of the very first issued, but the date stamped on the canister would indicate an early 1916 manufacture. The mask accepts the same type of screw-in canister (which utilises a standard thread, mass produced by 'Osram' for use on light bulbs and fittings) as the late war respirators which replaced it. This item was originally collected by Lieutenant J D Campbell of 6 Machine Gun Company, AIF.