I purchased this gas mask probably at least a year ago at an estate sale and have been trying to determine its origin, date, and maker ever since. I think I have finally narrowed down the needed information enough to be confident in my description. I've studied many museum websites, collector websites, and war relic websites in gathering information.
The gas mask that you see in my photos is the exact mask that will be shipped. Please study my photos carefully and decide for yourself about the accuracy of my description. I'm not an expert by any means and am relying on various websites for this posting. If you have any comments or concerns about my description, I'd certainly appreciate you letting me know.
As a result, this item is NOT RETURNABLE and is sold "AS IS".
I believe by comparing photos, designs, markings, coloring, etc. that the following is the best description regarding the mask that I found. Unfortunately, while looking at hundreds of websites, I did not make note of the web address.
"THE FATRA WAS DESIGNED TO PROTECT THE AVERAGE SOLDIER FROM GASEOUS TOXINS. THIS MASK WAS MANUFACTURED IN CZECHSLOVAKIA UNTIL 1939 WHEN GERMANY TOOK CONTROL OF THE COUNTRY. THESE MASKS WERE USED UNTIL LATE 1945, WHEN THE MASK WAS REPLACED BY THE NEWER MASKS DESIGNED BY THE SOVIET UNION. THIS MASK IS VERY RARE TO FIND AND IS CONSIDERED TO BE WORTH AROUND $300 BY COLLECTORS.
The inside of the mask is made of a burnt orange color of rubber. In the area where the nose goes there is a marking of "FATRA 1" and just to the right of that in small letters I believe it says "1A" but that is hard to read. The only other markings that I could find is on the canister and it says "CMP".
I'm not sure of the material on the outside. At first glance, it almost looks like a woven cloth of some kind. I see about 3 or 4 spots in the material that are about 1/8th of an inch or less in size that have frayed, (I don't believe they even show up in my photo but they are over the mask's right eye lens). On the left side of the mask are hand written initials, and again they are hard to read but I believe it says "J. HG. D.". (see photo). The lenses are complete with no cracks or breakage. The lenses are a little dingy and I will leave them that way to help show the patina but that should clean right off.
All straps are present with no tears. I see no problems with the strap connectors. The straps are adjustable, but I'm not going to force the connectors open to try to adjust the straps. The connectors look as if they have not been opened in years to adjust the straps so I will leave them as they are.
Once again, if you have any comments, concerns, or information about this mask, I'd love to hear them.
Delivery will be via USPS Priority Mail Flat Rate packaging. Shipping is from Nevada. Postal Insurance and Signature Confirmation will be mandatory on this item.
Buyer to pay $8.95 delivery charges.
REMEMBER, someone will have to sign for the package when it gets delivered.
To avoid duplicate shipping charges, please contact seller for combined shipping charges if multiple purchases are desired.
INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING depends on the country. Buyer must contact seller for shipping quote before making purchase. Seller reserves the right to void any transactions where contact has not been made prior to purchasing.
All items in my listings come from either estate or garage sales. I do not know if they came from homes where smoking or pets were present. All items are sold in the same condition as when I received them.
