Product Overview
The M44 was the last of several civic defense gas masks issued to the German public, as a possible defense against gas attacks. With Allied Victories in Africa, Italy, and the Eastern/Russian front, the possibility of attacks against Germany proper became a reality, so these were issued to protect the population, as they ostensibly would be fighting to protect Der Vaterland. These masks were not of the same quality as the military issue, being made of relatively thin rubber coated canvas, without the usual steel fittings seen on the military issue masks. Each came in a wooden box, along with a manual regarding correct usage. The instructions even included directions regarding how to turn the box into a carry case to carry under the shoulder.
Great condition, nicely stamped
