A very fine, complete and factory matched example of the French ARS 38 military service respirator, introduced just before the outbreak of the Second World War. All components are clearly dated 1939 and marked with the matching factory code TC-38 TO, remaining in excellent untouched condition throughout.

Mask:

Constructed from Khaki-tan canvas with stitched leather reinforcement and an inner black-rubber face seal. The twin glass eyepieces remain clear and secure, while the internal web harness retains all six original elastic straps with only minor age toning. The facepiece carries crisp ink stamps “TC-38 TO JG-12-39.” The exhale valve and fitting are intact.

Filter:

Stamped “C.P. 1938-C L.U. 5-39” with a distinctive circled “Z” maker’s mark, identifying the Cartouche Protectrice Modele 1938 manufactured in May 1939. Paint finish is excellent, showing light storage wear only; internal paper disc remain visible.

Canister:

Original French steel transport canister painted field-grey, the lid marked “TC-38 TO.” The underside bears “H.F.S-44.88.” Complete with the correct Khaki web shoulder strap and spring-retainer inside. The paint finish is over 90% intact with a handful of some light indentations.

Overall:

This WW2 French gas mask is an excellent example, and is the full military-issue ARS 38 pattern used by the French Army in 1939-1940, not the lighter civilian version.

Historical Note:

The Appareil Respiratoire Special Modele 1938 (ARS 38) replaced the First World War M2 respirator and was France’s standard military service pattern when war broke out in 1939. Produced by several coded factories such as “TO,” these respirators equipped both front-line and support troops until the fall of France in 1940, after which many were captured and re-issued by German occupation forces.