Tennessee Posted September 22, 2016 Share #26 Posted September 22, 2016 I always thought the well decorated gas mask bag was as cool as the painted helmet, but it isn't nearly as highly valued by collectors. I also especially like the diary bags where the vets listed all the places that they had been stationed, sometimes with the dates. Also, I like the sayings they superimposed, like "I need thee every hour!" and "Next to the gal, my best pal!" These really were an every day necessity at the time! David Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hawk3370 Posted September 26, 2016 Share #27 Posted September 26, 2016 This gas mask bag belonged to Sgt Walter Spellman, 17th Balloon Co, AEF. He wrote the names of every engagement and encampment he was in during the war. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jagjetta Posted September 26, 2016 Share #28 Posted September 26, 2016 Hawk, GREAT documentation of a really interesting uniform group. Thank you so much for taking the time to photograph and share. JAG Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tennessee Posted September 26, 2016 Share #29 Posted September 26, 2016 Great balloon group and diary gas mask bag!! Could you take a close up of the insignia on the front of the helmet? It's also great to have the soldier's photo! David Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hawk3370 Posted September 27, 2016 Share #30 Posted September 27, 2016 Great balloon group and diary gas mask bag!! Could you take a close up of the insignia on the front of the helmet? It's also great to have the soldier's photo! David David Hope this helps, I never figured out what the three items (resemble rockets) are but they are flanked by machine guns and signal flags. They are not painted but rather the paint was scraped away and the bare metal underneath turned dark. There is also some writing over the three center images that I believe is his serial number and name, W. X. Spellman. Terry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
world war I nerd Posted September 27, 2016 Share #31 Posted September 27, 2016 Hawk, I also wanted to have a better look at the front of your Balloon Co. lid. Thanks for posting it. Either I've seen your helmet somewhere else, or I have an image of a similar insignia depicting three vertical, shells, rockets, arrows (?) somewhere in my files. If i can remember where I put it, I'll post it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mitter2k1 Posted September 28, 2016 Share #32 Posted September 28, 2016 Post #4, bag on the left is mine. I can post some pics and info if you'd like. -Mike Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G925A using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
world war I nerd Posted October 1, 2016 Share #33 Posted October 1, 2016 Mike, thanks for identifying that 1st Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Division Bag was yours ... maybe when you have time, you could post a larger image of the painted insignia. Yet another 2nd Engineer Regiment, 2nd Division painted gasmask satchel, along with a close up of the insignia. It's beginning to look as if the entire regiment might have painted their gasmask carriers? Photos courtesy of Bay State Militaria.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
world war I nerd Posted October 1, 2016 Share #34 Posted October 1, 2016 And another 27th Division painted satchel. This one painted on both the front and the back sides. Photos courtesy of Bay State Militaria.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mitter2k1 Posted October 8, 2016 Share #35 Posted October 8, 2016 Mike, thanks for identifying that 1st Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Division Bag was yours ... maybe when you have time, you could post a larger image of the painted insignia. Yet another 2nd Engineer Regiment, 2nd Division painted gasmask satchel, along with a close up of the insignia. It's beginning to look as if the entire regiment might have painted their gasmask carriers? Photos courtesy of Bay State Militaria.com Here is a close up of my 1st Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment bag. Thanks, Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
world war I nerd Posted October 9, 2016 Share #36 Posted October 9, 2016 Mike thanks for the close up ... interesting that the Indian head & bonnet are painted black. I wonder if black was a reference to HQ Company? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mitter2k1 Posted October 9, 2016 Share #37 Posted October 9, 2016 Sadly is isnt. This one is named to a guy that served in Co. B Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G925A using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David D Posted January 8, 2017 Share #38 Posted January 8, 2017 Hopefully i can revive this thread. My latest find that came out of a trade. A 2/23 painted gas mask satchel. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
repbrock Posted January 21, 2017 Share #39 Posted January 21, 2017 32nd Division & 69th Regiment Coast Artillery Corps ... left hand image courtesy of Bay State Militaria.com Nice CAC Gas mask, is it for sale or trade? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
80thdivcollector Posted June 20, 2017 Share #40 Posted June 20, 2017 77th & 80th Division ... left hand photo courtesy of Bay State Militaria.com Is the PVT OTTO Harry Leroy Gas Mask Bag for sale. I have his razor set, canteen cup, wallet, blue ridge patch, etc. I've also a gas mask bag which is marked with his name and ASN. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CharliesYearOldYogurt Posted June 21, 2017 Share #41 Posted June 21, 2017 Just wondering, have you guys ever seen the actaul gas mask painted on? It seems like something a soldier might do, although it could compromise the mask. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RustyCanteen Posted June 27, 2017 Share #42 Posted June 27, 2017 I doubt that anyone would have been allowed to do that during wartime. I have seen a few with a little writing on them, but even that I suspect was post armistice. The masks were supposed to be exchanged so that the filters could be replaced, so it is doubtful that too many of the millions of masks produced were kept by the same man from start to finish. I would not be surprised if there was an order sent out prohibiting any personalization of the mask facepiece or canister. Keep in mind too, that many (but certainly not all) of the masks and their carriers/bags/satchels were post-Armistice re-issue. RC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kfields Posted June 29, 2017 Share #43 Posted June 29, 2017 Here is Sgt Melvin Dennie's art work he added to his gas mask bag. Sgt Dennie was a member of the 88th Division and was from Iowa. I have his uniform and helmet as well. Kim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doyler Posted November 25, 2018 Share #44 Posted November 25, 2018 Hopefully i can revive this thread. My latest find that came out of a trade. A 2/23 painted gas mask satchel. DSCN9267f.JPG DSCN9268f.JPG Pretty much a match to a named uniform group I have with painted bag and helmet Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RustyCanteen Posted November 25, 2018 Share #45 Posted November 25, 2018 Pretty much a match to a named uniform group I have with painted bag and helmet Hi R, feel free to add it if you can get some photos of it. Always nice to see these, especially this time of year when some of us still reserve a thought or two for the doughboys of 1917-1918. Long live their memory; their stories are preserved through the artifacts they passed on to us. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
everforward Posted November 25, 2018 Share #46 Posted November 25, 2018 Great thread here....I will add a couple things as well. Here is a photo of the HQ Staff of the 110th MG Battalion, 29 Division AEF....most of these men have put some sort of embellishment on their gas mask bags as well as their helmets. Also pictured below is the helmet and gas mask carried by Pvt. Paul A. Klonowski, Company L, 116th US Infantry. IMO all done post-Armistice within the 29th Division, at least I havent seen anything like this within the 29th that can be proven it was done on the front linein terms of what their duties required of them in the 3 weeks in combat north of Verdun, they simply wouldnt have had time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
everforward Posted November 25, 2018 Share #47 Posted November 25, 2018 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikes militaria Posted July 3, 2019 Share #48 Posted July 3, 2019 One more Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jayhawkhenry Posted July 13, 2019 Share #49 Posted July 13, 2019 Here is one I have from a man in the 35th Division. It is marked with a black triangle, like the patch on his uniform sleeve. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RustyCanteen Posted July 13, 2019 Share #50 Posted July 13, 2019 Nice example, thank you for sharing it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now