An excellent original German AUER Luftschutz S-Maske gas mask set, complete with filter and original ribbed steel carrying canister.

The canister lid is clearly embossed AUER / RL 1-38/3, together with the Luftschutz approval wording. The set retains its original carrying strap and, particularly nicely, the internal lid compartment still contains the original anti-fog eye inserts and surviving German instruction packet.

Gas Mask

The mask itself is in excellent condition, with the fabric facepiece exceptionally well preserved. All straps are present and intact, retaining good elasticity, while the eyepieces, fittings and green painted finish also remain in excellent order.

The forehead carries the period-applied number 1557, believed to be an issue or inventory identification, although its precise significance is uncertain. Further original component markings are present.

Filter

The original filter remains fitted and retains an excellent amount of its green painted finish. It is clearly stamped “Juni 39”, dating it to June 1939, together with further original factory/inspection markings.

Much of the original paper label also survives. There are areas of loss, but considerable German text remains legible.

Canister

The original ribbed steel canister retains its clearly marked AUER / RL 1-38/3 lid and original web carrying strap. There is surface rust, oxidation and age-related wear externally, as clearly shown in the photographs.

Inside the lid, the original compartment retains the anti-fog eye inserts and their German instruction packet, designed to help prevent the mask lenses from misting. The paper has become fragile and has areas of tearing and loss, but much of the printed wording remains readable. A very nice feature to find still present with the set.

Overall

A superb and substantially complete example of a German AUER Luftschutz S-Maske, particularly impressive for the excellent condition of the mask itself. The June 1939 dated filter, original carrying strap and surviving anti-fog inserts and paperwork make this an especially attractive set for the German Home Front or gas-mask collector.

Historical Note

Gas masks formed an important part of German civilian air-raid preparations before and during WWII. Following the widespread use of chemical weapons during WWI, there was considerable fear that poison gas might be used against civilian populations in a future conflict.

The German Luftschutz system covered civilian air-raid protection, while the Reichsluftschutzbund (RLB) played an important role in training and educating the population in precautions against bombing, fire and possible gas attack. Although chemical warfare against civilian populations did not materialise on the scale feared, surviving equipment such as this illustrates the extensive preparations made for that possibility.

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