WW I U.S. M1917 Small Box Respirator (Gas Mask) Carrying Bag/Satchel

Description

This listing is for an original U.S. WWI M1917 SBR (Small Box Respirator) Gas Mask Case/Carry Bag/Satchel. This S R case is
in very good condition, with all straps, slide rings, D-rings, and snap closures present and in working order. The unique design of this bag allowed the masks breathing tube to feed between the two snaps, when “snapped” while still keeping the mask’s “box” to be retained securely. Additional info on the SBR mask and its development follows this description.
Please Note: All photos of this case were taken vertically, but the eBay photo listing function positions the case horizontally. I was unable to edit the photos to show vertically - please bear with this.
There are frayed sections, small separations and tears, and some small loosening up stitching - but the Bag is in great condition for a 102 year old canvas field case used in WWI. Although some light stitching with appropriate colored thread would greatly dress-up this case, as with any artifact - my policy is to allow the collector purchasing, to decide on any restoration. Continuing the description inside of the flap has the ink stampings S-18-20, which is normally followed below by a 4 digit # - e.g. 1427. This 4 digit # is missing or faded away. Above the S # series is a faint stamping in different size print. A first two or three digits are illegible, but the numbers 8896 are legible. The front of the flap is ink stamped with a large “2”. Masks were sized from 1- 4.This is a very nice example of a piece of ever present
WWI field equipment, carried by all field personnel.
This bag, in extremely good, unaltered condition, is frequently rarer than the SBR mask. This item can be used to complete an SBR ensemble or will display well alone, bulked out with a small cardboard box or paper stuffing. Based on condition, rarity, and potential Marine use, shipped boxed, protectively, and insured  - this case is offered at 0.
U.S. M1917 SBR Gas Mask Notes
: Of the 5,250,000 gas masks of all types produced by the U.S. during the war, 1.6 million of them were the improved version of the British SBR. This mask was officially known as the U.S. Corrected English Small Box Respirator or the U.S. Corrected English Model (CEM). Produced in six sizes (1 through 6) from January to March 1918, the CEM was one of the two most commonly worn American made gas masks used by the AEF. Despite complaints from France regarding the British SBRs uncomfortable mouthpiece and its despised hated nose-clip, American gas experts determined that this type of respirator provided the best protection. Ever since the failure of the ASBR, American gasmask designers toiled to modify, improve, and ultimately make the American version of the SBR more comfortable, more reliable and stronger than the English mask that it mirrored. After numerous revisions, by October of 1917, the design had been perfected. Upon passing a comprehensive battery of field tests, the CEM respirator went into full scale production in January of 1918. It would be the very first U.S. made gasmask to see service in the gas soaked trenches of the Western Front.