WW1 Original German Model M1917 Gasschutzmaske Gas Mask and Canister 

SKU: WW1 GERMAN MODEL M1917 GAS MASK & CANISTER

Original/Reproduction: Original

Availability: In-Stock

Manufacturer: Germany

Date Manufactured: 

Model: GM38

Size / Dimensions: 

Materials / Construction: Metal, Rubber, Plastic

Condition: Excellent

Price: $500.00

Seller Type: WW2C

Seller ID: JMW

Code: 75

Return Policy: 3-day inspection and return policy on used guns and accessories.

Description

This is an excellent condition WW1 German model M1917 Gasschutzmaske (Gas protection mask), complete with an original Filter and Carrying Canister 

History

The M1917 Gasmaske (Gas Mask) was the standard-issue protective respirator used by the Imperial German Army during the latter stages of the First World War. The military developed this protective mask as a direct response to chemical attacks on the Western Front because it provided better protection than the M1915 “Gummimaske” and simple cloth pads.

Design Features

The M1917 gas mask used chemically treated canvas and rubberized fabric to create a tight facial seal. The eyepieces contained round clear glass lenses which were mounted in metal rims to provide soldiers with sufficient visibility during combat. The mask uses a cylindrical metal filter canister which connects to it through a flexible rubberized hose. The filter contained activated charcoal together with chemical substances which were meant to eliminate chlorine and phosgene and mustard gas agents.  

Carrying Canister: The gas mask came with a distinctive ribbed steel canister which allowed safe transportation and fast access during emergencies. The canister received a field gray finish and came with an adjustable shoulder strap for better portability. A spring clip system held the mask in place to prevent damage during movement.

Historical Context

The first version of this model emerged in 1917 to serve as emergency protective devices before it gained official status as protective gear for German soldiers until World War I ended. The majority of front-line soldiers received gas masks by late 1917 because chemical warfare had become a deadly reality in World War I. The M1917 Gasmaske showed effectiveness against typical battlefield gases from that period yet it struggled with visibility issues and breathing problems and lens fogging. Its ribbed steel transport canister later influenced the design of the WWII German M1930/38 gas mask canister, which retained many of the same characteristics.

Collectability

Today, an original M1917 German gas mask with its filter and carrying canister is a highly sought-after relic of the First World War. Complete sets in well-preserved condition are increasingly rare, as the rubberized materials often degraded over the last century. The surviving examples maintain dual significance because they function as military collectibles while serving as physical memorials to the deadly military advancements of the early 1900s.