WW1 Gas Alarm Rattle?

[SoulMan91]

Is this a WW1 Gas Alarm Rattle? I looked online and couldn't find one that looked like this.. could it be made out of scrap wood or something? thanks!

 

[SoulMan91]

[SoulMan91]

side view

[SoulMan91]

old screws

[ludwigh1980]

Interesting piece. Rattles or noise makers of this type were also used by Police officers in the 19th Century.

[SoulMan91]

thanks so much for the info! I have absolutely no knowledge on these.. Since it appears handmade its probably impossible to figure out if this was used in the Great War right? Anybody know if they had army issue ones with stampings? Its fun to learn about this stuff.

[robinb]

[world war I nerd]

I read recently that the U.S. made wooden gas rattles never made it over to Europe, and that the only rattles used by the AEF were of European manufacture. The rattle posted by SoulMan looks as if it could maybe be from Europe?

 

But then again I've read about other bits of American made gear that were also not allegedly used 'Over There', only later to be seen in wartime photographs ... However, I've yet to see a photograph of a Doughboy using a wooden gas rattle in the trenches.

 

Can anyone post a photo of a wooden gas rattle in use?

[RustyCanteen]

 

Can anyone post a photo of a wooden gas rattle in use?

 

 

I know there are a few photos taken in British trenches, and I think maybe one in the background of a US trench photo. I'll keep my eyes open and post if I find it again. I also want to say that gas alarms such as these were still in inventory through WWII.

 

The one posted by SoulMan91 looks like it was made out of a banister. The handle almost looks like a baluster; like someone who manufacured stair cases either used rejects to make them, or someone ripped out some stairs to make them.

 

RC

[world war I nerd]

Thanks RC,

 

I look forward to seeing what you come up with ... if you can find anything.

 

I've seen loads of photos of bells, empty shell casings and crank type horns being used to signal the presence of gas, but never a rattle. I've also seen the occasional weather vane or two in the trenches. These were needed to indicate which direction the wind and gas was blowing.

[RustyCanteen]

I made a cursory search of images and didn't locate them. That said, I do believe there are at least a couple of images showing them in use with the British. I want to say there was a training image of one being used too. But the use of them was really only intended to replace a vocal alarm. For obvious reasons it would be unwise to be taking a mask off to yell an alarm. However I do believe there are accounts of men who were gassed because they held off using their mask in order to alert as many men as possible.

 

Absolutely WWINerd, before the AEF really got settled in France it is likely just about anything that could be used to raise an alarm was used. It would be interesting to know when the American rattles were actually approved for production. I have a feeling that any of them in photos were either locally made or sourced from our Allies. I'm pretty sure I read something about cases of them still being in inventory circa the 1930s.

 

RC

[otter42]

Currently for sale on Bay State. They have listed as CW period Battle Rattle ship alarm.