Post
by Tom-May » Tue Feb 06, 2007 3:48 am
Indeed, the WW2 bag is a small box respirator bag.
The larger section, which strangely is the 'back' (well, that part worn next to the body when in use) contained the respirator box, hose and mask, when stowed; the smaller sub division, I believe held the anti-dimming kit for the lenses and the seperate smaller (front?) pocket held decontamination kit (and possibly the respirator record booklet?).
Not a rare piece, and not in the best condition, but a very nicely marked example and (I believe), quite early for this pattern - I seem to recall that earlier bags resembled the Great War pattern, single flap bags.
I think this respirator would have been the slightly earlier pattern with the khaki 'stockingette' covered face piece - late patterns had plain black rubber and, by the end of the war, the replacement for the SBR was being introduced*.
Tom
* I could well be wrong on these points as WW2 is not my field, but I remember having the SBRs when I was lot younger.
The Truth IS Out There, The lies are in your head. (T. Pratchett - 'Hogfather'))
