One of the rarest pieces of FJ specific field gear is the gasmask bag. This is one of the most FJ unique items that the Fallschirmtruppen were issued. From the prewar days to the last days of the war, they insisted on issuing these gasmask bags. Under the "Fallschirmjäger Dienst" section of Luftwaffe Soldbucher you will find the "Gasmaskentasche" listed. Repoductions are common.....thought they lack the exact details of the originals. Sadly, the repros always sell.......
Mint ones are even rarer. Will post some earlier ones later. This is an extremely latwar issue bag, that correctly exhibits latewar features: a phosphate wash over some of the metal fittings, the absence of nickle plating on the zipper and pull tab, the absence of leather reinforcements in the areas that the earlier ones use (they use a type of canvas) or rubber in the case of the filter protection, latewar webbing, latewar Prym snaps and painted steel fitting too. And yes, it has the correct rubber plug...even at such a latewar time.
The maker (3-digit code) is the same maker that made the thin green cotton gasmask bags that were first seen in the pre-Normandy era. This one would look great with a early '45 FJ look..........maybe some MP44 pouches in the same fabric.
Willi
Mint ones are even rarer. Will post some earlier ones later. This is an extremely latwar issue bag, that correctly exhibits latewar features: a phosphate wash over some of the metal fittings, the absence of nickle plating on the zipper and pull tab, the absence of leather reinforcements in the areas that the earlier ones use (they use a type of canvas) or rubber in the case of the filter protection, latewar webbing, latewar Prym snaps and painted steel fitting too. And yes, it has the correct rubber plug...even at such a latewar time.
The maker (3-digit code) is the same maker that made the thin green cotton gasmask bags that were first seen in the pre-Normandy era. This one would look great with a early '45 FJ look..........maybe some MP44 pouches in the same fabric.
Willi
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