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Spiralbaender straps.Comment
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11-C-11 filterComment
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The eyepieces had a strip of leather reinforcing the outer perimeter to strengthen the seal.Comment
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The mask on the left is most likely an early GM17 as it doesn't have leather reinforcement strips around the eyepieces.Comment
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Early GM17Comment
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Hans, your collection is wonderful, and your dedication and thoroughness is evident in the quality of your material. Joe's masks interest me, too, particularly the leather mask without the spider eyepiece reinforcements, pictured on pages 1. and 4. The final modification made to German gas masks was the Gasmaske 18 in Sept. '18. This model did away with the spider webs, and replaced the cord attachment to the head harness running down between the goggles on the outside, with a fabric strap which hooked into the canister base at the bottom. The top sides also appear more squared off than does the GM17, and the eyepieces all have the extra leather reinforcing. Joe's mask looks like it could be the GM18 from what I can see in to 2 photos, unless I can't see it right, always a possibility.
Joe's mask has the front strap apparently missing, but looks to me like it could be an M18. What do you think, Hans?
Regards,
Bob EvansComment
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Thank you very much Bob for your comments. Luck had as much a role to play as dedication in amassing this collection.
As for Joe's mask being an M18, I think you've nailed it Bob. I originally noticed the absence of spider web reinforcements on Joe's mask and the idea of it being an M18 did for a moment occur to me, but I think I was hasty in dismissing it as a GM17 with missing spider eyepiece reinforcements. I was unaware of the other differences between the two models that you pointed out. The only clue that could have told me it was an M18 was the presence of a wider loop the mask should have on the forehead area to hold the missing cloth support strap in place. I can't tell from the pictures if this is the case. Did the GM18 have Spiralbaender straps on the top head section as opposed to the plain cloth straps on the GM17?
Joe, could you post more pictures of this mask?
HansComment
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pics of mask
hi guys,
here you go some closeups of the mask,
have funComment
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4
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Thanks for the additional pictures, Joe. They do show the eyepieces nicely, and the small metal loop at the front of the canister base. This loop appears to me to be the GM17 type, not the larger one to which the hook of the front strap of the GM18 attached. I can't see the head straps clearly to determine if the two upper straps are Spiralbaender type straps attached to the top of the mask, which the GM18 should have. I am also operating at a disadvantage since I do not have an example of a GM18, only the Kraus line drawings.
Finally, an overall view of the mask body would help, just to see the general shape of the mask, perhaps, Joe, putting your two masks side by side in profile.
Regards, BobComment
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The mask is looking more like a GM17 to me as well. The only examples of GM18s I've seen first hand (many many years ago) were reissued Reichswehr versions. I really have to get my hands on a copy of Kraus' book.
HansComment
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book and mask
hi Hans,
after going through the books the kraus one which only has 3 pages on gas masks.
my mask is a gm17.
if you want a better equipment and photo book for refrence the schiffer pub.
title Imperial german field uniforms and eqip 1907-1918 by johan somers
is much better 12 pages used for gas mask photos and cans and filters.
below is the page from the kraus book on the gm17 and gm18
enjoy
joeComment
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