Creation Date

1918
1918

Description

World War I gas mask. Used by Herman F. Engebretson from Lowry when he served in France in WWI. The bag was to be worn around the neck by soldiers in combat. The mask has circular goggles built in for the eyes. There are elastic straps to hold the mask over the face and eyes. A hose runs from the mask to a canister in the bag. The canisters usually contained charcoal or some other filtering agent. A small instruction book is attached that includes plaster patches for repairing the mask. The name H. F. Engebretson is stenciled on the back of the bag. There is a small tube of de-fogging material and instructions in the bag.
There were two unexploded bullet found in the bag, but they were disposed of.

The story of Herman's service in WWI is in his family file in the archives.