However, the trials revealed one significant catch - the dogs could not smell anything while wearing the masks, rendering them useless for 90% of their tasks on the battlefield. "Gas masks put Britain's dogs of war off the scent:įinal proof, if it was needed, that the English care more about their dogs than perhaps anything else was provided yesterday by the release of confidential state papers showing that secret trials were carried out during the second world war to develop gas masks for the army's war dogs.Īfter six months scientists succeeded in developing a mask which was comfortable for the dogs to wear. What is true about these respirators is that they are unquestionably rare, with only a handful residing in various museums, archives and private collections.īelow is some data about the Dog Respirator held in the GasMasksUK Collection, as well as a related article from The Gaurdian, and finally detailed photographs with captions detailing parts of the respirator itself.ĭate - Facepiece: Nil Manufacturer/Markings - Facepiece: Nilįilter: Nil Filter: Ptn 1/45 No.151 Wt: 8 1/2 o℥s.Įxhale Assembly: 11/1942 Exhale Assembly: B.W.&.M. It can be speculated that part of the painted markings on the filter might refer to a date, however this unfortunately cannot be confirmed. W.& M (Barringer, Wallis and Manners Ltd) L2 11/1942" and on the filter, which has been hand painted with "Ptn 1/45 No.151 Wt:8 1/2 Ozs." It is difficult to pinpoint exactly when these respirators went into actual service and how many were manufactured, however it was certainly not any earlier than the date found on the exhale assembly. The only markings on this particular dog respirator are on the exhale valve, which is stamped "B. The harness also incorporates a metal ring allowing the dog handlers lead to be attached, this means that there was no requirement for a conventional collar or harness to be worn in conjunction with the respirator which could potentially interfere with its functionality/operation. Connected to the facepiece are a series of straps which as well as securing the respirator to the dog also form an adjustable harness which secures round the dogs girth and chest. Behind the seal is another piece of sheet rubber which features two holes for the dogs ears, this piece also covers a section of the dogs neck. To isolate the air space inside the facepiece from the contaminated air outside, it features a peripheral seal. The facepiece of the Dog Respirator is obviously very different, instead of being made from a single piece of molded rubber, it is made from a series of pieces of sheet rubber which are glued together. It did however allegedly offer the same degree of protection as the filter upon which it was based. The filter is a modified version of the standard Lightweight type, it is slightly narrower and lighter, and also features a different base. The exhale valve, eyepieces and the filter mount are identical on both masks. It is very easy to see which components the Lightweight Respirators have in common with the Dog Respirator. This particular variation of dog respirator owes its design to the series of Lightweight Respirators which began production in the later months of 1942 and were issued from early 1943 onwards. Model: Based on the Lightweight Respirator designįilter Type: 60mm threaded Lightweight Respirator based filter
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