Japanese Naval Officers Gas Mask and Case

[Ryukyutunnelrat]

Aloha,
Just wanted to share with you all my Japanese Naval Officers Gas Mask and Case with matching serial number. This one came directly from a Marine Vet who took it out of Admiral Ota's HQ cave on Oroku, Okinawa along with a Mint Japanese Painted Anchor Helmet. Enjoy.

[Ryukyutunnelrat]

another view. Does anyone know what the piece of wood attached to the canister was used for?

[Ryukyutunnelrat]

Equiped with a Large Speech Diaphram and the exhale valve off to the side

[Ryukyutunnelrat]

Accessories that were inside the bag

[Ryukyutunnelrat]

Accessories inside the bag

[Ryukyutunnelrat]

Tag on case with number that matches the number on the carry bag

[Dean Brock]

WOW , what a beautiful and intact set! Wish I could help you with the wood question.

[Jareth]

David, I've seen this variation before. Never heard it refered to as an officers model. I've heard of one early example in the suit case as well as one in a later carry bag. They have been called a fire fighting model as well. Great overall grouping!

[Eric Doody]

Very nice and complete Type 97 [i.e., 1937] Mark 1 Model 2 Navy "shipboard" gas mask.

I believe when the Navy went to the Model 3 (and Model 4) gas mask(s) the blue colored storage container, harness, and face piece carrying bag were dropped in favor of single canvas carrying bag that stored the entire gas mask (i.e., the Model 3 and Model 4 gas masks) including the accessories.

[Striking 9th]

Everytime I look at this set it just keeps looking that much better!
Very nice!
Scott

[Ryukyutunnelrat]

Thanks Eric for the translation and all for the great comments. Still trying to figure out why there is a stick attached to the canister? David.