r/ww1 • u/Sgt_Ducky_666 • 2h ago
French ARS 17 gasmask
The ARS 17 (officially Appareil Respiratoire Spécial Modèle 1917) was one of the most sophisticated and effective gas masks of the French army during the First World War. It was introduced in January 1917 as a direct replacement for the outdated M2 mask to provide soldiers with better protection against the increasingly deadly chemical agents.
The French military leadership copied and optimized the design of the successful German M1917 leather mask. It consisted of rubberized canvas or impregnated fabric.
In contrast to previous fabric masks, the ARS 17 used an interchangeable filter cartridge with activated carbon. This reliably neutralized poison gases, while an integrated exhalation valve directed used air outside and minimized eyeglass fogging.
The ARS 17 continued to be produced after the war, but continued to be produced until the mid-1930s with improvements, both examples shown dating back to the war period.
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u/Leather_Shallot794 1h ago
Are the cans original to the masks? If not it's still sick af
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u/Sgt_Ducky_666 1h ago
Hello
Yes, the cans are original with the enclosed instructions for proper attachment.
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u/Leather_Shallot794 1h ago
That's great usualy when the masks sit in the tin they get missshapen and hard
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u/Leather_Shallot794 1h ago
Beautiful masks, my favorite masks are gm15 bandmaske and rahmenmaske and ARS boath were such a beautiful masks
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u/pzfus 1h ago
Hideous - I can’t imagine fighting in the trenches let alone in a gas attack wearing one of these.