The Adam Park Project

Item Information:

Catalogue Number: See Report 12 for details Source: TAPP Archaeology Surveys Location: No11 Adam Park Report No: Report No.12 Artifact Type: Personal Kit Production Date: 2012-05-09 00:00:00 Dimensions of Item: various Copyright with The Adam Park Project

Other Description:

The discovery of the facemask fittings in T11 indirectly led to the discovery of the respirator canisters at a greater depth. The finds suggest at least three respirator canisters were deposited into the feature. At least two facemasks are present. The collection of webbing buckle also suggests at least one ammunition pouch was also placed into the hole. The lenses were cleaned and found to be engraved with a makers mark and product details. The meaning of the abbreviation ‘S.M.S’ remains unknown. The ‘40’ refers to the date of manufacture and the Roman numeric ‘III’ probably the mark of the gas mask. Other items found in Trench 1 include the tinted lens cover (left), the respirator exhalation valve (centre top), a bayonet scabbard frog stud and top locket (right middle) and two 50mm Type 37 webbing clips usually found on the back of ammunition pouches (front centre)

Historic Context:

Gas masks would be one of the items discarded by the soldiers before they entered captivity. The respirator bag would have been of use but the contents were no longer required and it is probable these items were discarded into a handy hole in the ground before the owner was rounded up and sent into captivity