Original WW2 Horse Gas Mask Rubber Straps with Securing Clips – Pair

Original WW2 Horse Gas Mask Rubber Straps with Securing Clips – Pair

Original Second World War horse gas mask rubber straps with original securing clips – an unusual and increasingly scarce piece of wartime military equipment.

A very interesting pair of original WW2 horse gas mask rubber straps, complete with their associated metal securing clips.

These straps formed part of the equipment used with wartime horse respirators/gas masks, which were designed to protect military horses from chemical warfare agents. Horses remained an important part of military transport and logistics throughout the Second World War, particularly for artillery, ammunition supply, transport and other duties where motorised vehicles could not always operate effectively.

The straps are manufactured from heavy-duty rubber, designed to withstand the demanding conditions in which military horses and their equipment were used. The original securing clips remain attached, adding considerably to their interest as an original equipment component.

Historical Background

Although mechanisation had transformed modern armies by the outbreak of WWII, horses remained extremely important to the German and other European armed forces. They were used extensively for moving guns, ammunition, supplies and personnel, particularly in areas where roads and terrain made motor transport difficult.

The possibility of chemical warfare remained a serious concern following the extensive use of poison gas during the First World War. Consequently, specialised protective equipment was developed not only for soldiers but also for military horses.

Horse gas masks and respirators incorporated straps, buckles and securing arrangements that allowed the mask to be fitted securely to the animal while still permitting the horse to breathe and perform its duties.

Details
Period: WWII / 1939–1945
Type: Horse gas mask / respirator components
Item: Pair of rubber straps
Complete with: Original securing clips
Material: Heavy-duty rubber with metal fittings
Use: Military horse protective equipment
Condition: Original used condition with expected age-related wear to the rubber
A Very Unusual Military Collectable

These are a fascinating and relatively obscure piece of WW2 military equipment, particularly for collectors who specialise in horse-drawn military equipment, German militaria, gas warfare equipment, veterinary military equipment and battlefield archaeology.

Because individual straps and fittings were often discarded, replaced or separated from the masks themselves, complete original components such as these make an interesting addition to a wartime equipment collection.

A great original WWII military accessory with excellent historical interest and an unusual subject matter.

Please study the photographs carefully as they form an important part of the description. The rubber is an original period material and should be handled with care due to its age.

One of the straps is still supple the other is not.