WW1 BRITISH TANK CORPS FACE MASK
Background
When the tank was first introduced during WW1 it went into action with the minimal amount of protection for the crew inside who besides having to work under hot and fumy conditions found that they were being injured by what is known as shale or splatter which is slithers of sharp steel that flew around the inside of the tank when it was hit from schrapnel and bullet impacts from the outside. The wounds to crew members concerned the British war office who then developed a protective mask to reduce the wounds.
Item description
This face mask is the standard British issue Tank Face Mask. Constructed of steel that is covered in Leather to the front and padded chamois leather to the inside. The eye holes have mesh type steel panels to see through. The original tie-on straps are present. The leather is in good condition but there is a slight damage to the nose area as shown in the images that is hardly noticeable and is commensurate withn its age
Tank face masks are highly collectable, command high prices and rarely come on the market.