Belgian L.702 Gas Mask with Carrying Canister, Surplus

Belgian-made gas masks from the Helsinki city bomb shelters. An awesome piece of Finnish civil defense history. These were also used by many soldiers in WWII, including some Finnish ones. It comes with a wickedly cool carrying canister but not the filter because asbestos isn’t equally cool.

We managed to get hold of something epic. Belgian WWII-era gas masks with Helsinki city stamps. This type of mask was made in Belgium in 1938-40 until the German occupation put an end to the production. The stamp on the carrying canister seems to indicate that these came to Finland via Stockholm, Sweden.

This mask is quite a traditional floppy rubber thingy: two round eye slots, adjustable straps, and the nose part where you screw on the filter. Apart from collecting, this is also perfect for post-apocalyptic fantasies and other equally exciting stuff. The carrying case is a simple metal canister with a canvas strap.

Materials

Made from last-century classic materials: titillating rubber, timeless bakelite, and grey-painted sheet metal. The mask is designed for 40 mm threaded filters. These don’t come with a filter because they used asbestos in those days, and that isn’t very nice to breathe.

Condition

Unissued, but during long storage, these might have gathered some rust, dirt, small scratches, and such. Sold only as collectibles. Don’t try to acquire an original asbestos filter and sniff mustard gas with these. You’re on your own and the odds aren’t in your favor.