WW1 French Army – M1918 ARS ALUMINUM GAS MASK CANISTER – VERY RARE!

In 1916, the French military began experimenting with copying and upgrading the GM15. Originally the prototype that would become the ARS, known as the MCG, had a faceblank made from a layer of rubberized cloth and no Tissot deflectors. Because of fogging and the inability of the mask to resist tear gas, the MCG was updated to include Tissot deflectors and a backing of cloth boiled in linseed oil. Also added to the MCG was the same head harness as that on the M2.

In January 1917, the upgraded MCG was adopted as the ARS, but issues with supplying made it so that the mask started to be delivered to the army only in February 1918. It would continue to see service in the French army even after the First World War with over 5,270,000 examples being produced.

Made of aluminum, and similar in style to the German variant, this M1918 pattern gas mask canister is in VERY NICE used condition! Retaining traces of its original paint, there are some marks, wear, and dents due to the age, but nothing that detracts. Also has the internal instruction label! Sadly, the clips that retains the straps are missing. Would make a PERFECT addition to any collection or display!