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Sorry for the delay in responding Mark. I have company over from Germany, and I'm only at my computer sporadically. You bring up an interesting point there about the policing of soldiers, which reminds me of the difference in initiative allowed to the Officers and men of the countries...

Gustav, thanks for the information on the button. I think you're right, because I can't think of any other purpose for it being there. As for the British and American respirators, I know very little about them. I've always suspected that, although they may have been better in some respects...

I've never seen the cord attached to the button on the top y-strap. The cord usually was attached to a leather loop on the top of the mask, or in some cases, a metal loop sewn to the top y-strap just in front of the button. Mark, how did you come to the conclusion that the German approach to...

I forgot to add that the reason the metal eyepieces come out is because the GM 17 was designed with a double layer of lenses, one fixed to the outside of the mask, while the interior lens was made of a more flexible celluloid and was disposable. Those are the lenses you sometimes find in the...

The other expanation of the lack of the webbed metal eyepices is that it is a model 1918 mask. These didn't have the webbed center on the eye pieces. At first I thought yours might be that model, but the M18 had a stiff cloth support strap where the M17 had the string cord, and I think your...

The threaded metal eye pieces are detachable, not to mention very fragile. I've actually watched someone take out an eyepiece at a show from a mask I was selling a few years ago, and snap the webbed middle part into 3 peices as he tried to put it back in. Some people simply don't know how to...

Getting back to the cord on the leather masks, I've read that the Ledermaske was never considered a successful gas mask due to the fit never being completely tight. It was described as stiff with the filter end weighing down the mask enough to dislodge it completely from the face if the head...

Brian, you mention in your ebay description of the Gummimaske can that you believe a buckle is missing from the end of the long strap on the carrier can. I don't think that end had a buckle, just the strap cloth folded up and sewn together to form a bundle or knot to keep the strap in place. I...

Brian, I've seen other leather masks without the hooks and string, and have wondered if they were made without them, especially so where there is no sign of a hook having ever been present. The most obvious reason for the string in my opinion is to keep the heavy filter end of the mask from...

Brian, I'm surprised you're selling such a nice Gummimaske. I look forward to seeing how it does. Are either of the cans maker marked? I have a leather mask with the same style of can as yours, and it's marked S&H. On these leather masks, I always look at how and where the hook (loop) for the...

I also remember reading about soldiers ordered to trim their beards to no more than a goatee, although pictures of soldiers with full beards mid to late war still crop up.

Sorry Brian, I overlooked your post. Looking forward to seeing you at the Etobicoke show as well. Hans

The appraisal is priceless. I want to be a Resident Historian too. Apparently you don't have to know much to qualify. The appraisal also taught me that apparently I'm a Germanophile.

Wonderful pistol and uniform Gustav. What a find; glad you were able to rescue the tunic and other effects. KuK items are no longer underappreciated, especially in Europe. The prices of helmets, tunics and most other wartime items are soaring, showing that the number of serious collectors is...

I'd love to go to the SOS some day. I've never been to a show in the U.S., but have seen pictures of the tables at the SOS. Hope to meet you there some day Gustav. You brought a grenade to the border? Sounds like a good story.

I know Mark from the Etobicoke show. I've had a table there now for over 3 years. He's one of the few people there I can discuss Imperial items with. He put me wise to this forum.

A hopefully clearer shot showing equipment details. The soldier on the right is wearing a German M16 helmet, while Valentin and the soldier in the center wear Austrian models. A close-up of my Grandfather in an earlier picture wearing his cap. One more picture with Valentin standing back...

Here is a picture from my father's family photo collection of three Austrian Sturmtruppen in light assault order including their GM 17 Lederschutzmasken at the ready. The soldier on the left armed with the Steyr-Hahn pistol is my Grandfather, Zugsfuehrer Valentin Kroess of the Sturmkompanie, 2...

I'm still drooling over the Austrian mask. Have to collect my thoughts. Its interesting to see clear evidence of two Rahmenmasken used this late in the war, especially with the Austrian mask dated to Dec. 1917. I think many people believe that these masks were completely replaced by the...

Thanks Mark. It sure took a while. Hope to see you in Etobicoke in September. Hans