GM-15 Can Staps

[Grabenkater]

Can someone please post some photos of the can straps? I have a set on a can, but I believe them to be post-war replacements. They are made from a coarse woven cotton and sewn directly to the can. I have tried viewing photos of original cans, but I cannot see enough detail to determine how they were attached to the can. Some I have been able to see appear to have leather re-enforcement that wraps around the loops on the can.

Danke!

[Uncle Goose]

post a photo here, you might get an answer straight away.

[Hoss]

Hi Grabenkater
As Goose say,s post a photo, so gentlemen can comment. Or go to this thread:

http://dev.wehrmacht-awards.com/foru...d.php?t=446878

Also this thread:

http://dev.wehrmacht-awards.com/foru...light=gas+mask

Regards
Eric

[Hans K.]

Pictures are certainly necessary.

For now, here are two commonly encountered canister straps found on the 1916 model Gummimaske can. The first one is typical for an early can, while the second red strap is on a later Gummimaske can dated February 1917. I've seen a surprising number of red or red/white straps on surviving examples. No leather reinforcement was used on these straps.

I hope the attachment method is clear enough.

[Hans K.]

Here are a selection of straps typically found on the GM 17 Leather mask canisters (Bereitschaftsbuechse).

The vast majority of GM 17 straps I've encountered are made of 'paper cloth', literally paper threads, which was widely used by 1917 due to the shortage of material. These, from my experience, are always reinforced at one end with leather - both the long carrying strap and the short fastening strap. The straps are attached to these canisters in the same fashion as on the earlier 1916 cans.

I'd be interested in seeing pictures of the strap in question.

Hans

**Edit: I've replaced one picture in order to show detail of the attachment method at the buckle end.

[Hoss]

Hans
The middle can in your picture is that a rare wooden example?
I,ve only ever seen one other.

Thanks
Eric

[Hans K.]

Yes it is Eric. The body of the can is made of plywood; the lid is the normal metal version as used on the regular GM 17 can, and the brackets are riveted on instead of welded. I'll start a thread on these if you'd like.

[Mac 66]

Hans, would you know where i could acquire the long strap for my GM17? i have the origional short bottom strap in place. this is a very informative thread thanks for posting your photos

Regards Scott.

[Hans K.]

I honestly don't know how often originals would come up for sale Scott. I've never seen any original long straps offered, and prefer to wait for a complete set to turn up.

Aside from cannibalizing parts from other cans, there is another solution. Bread bag straps seem to have been used in the field as replacements, and I have one example of this which I'm pretty sure was done during the war.

[Mac 66]

I honestly don't know how often originals would come up for sale Scott. I've never seen any original long straps offered, and prefer to wait for a complete set to turn up.

Aside from cannibalizing parts from other cans, there is another solution. Bread bag straps seem to have been used in the field as replacements, and I have one example of this which I'm pretty sure was done during the war.

Hans, Thank You , i will hunt for a ww1 breadbag strap which will be much easier to find than an origional long strap.

Cheers Scott.