Gas mask for horses, Germany, 1914-1918

Made:
1914-1918 in Germany
Cased gas mask for horses, German manufacture

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Cased gas mask for horses, German manufacture
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Gas mask for horses, with case, manufactured in Germany for use by German forces during the First and taken by personnel of the British 4th Army at Rozieres, France, August 1918.

Horses were used extensively during the First World War (1914-1918), from their central role in cavalry units to numerous heavy working tasks such as pulling ambulances laden with wounded men and transporting heavy artillery piece. Like the men they worked with, horses were extremely vulnerable to the many dangers of the battlefield.

Poison gas was first used by the German Army in 1915, but was quickly adopted by all sides. Effective protective equipment was slowly developed, for horses as well as men. This gas mask was designed to fit over the horse’s nose and mouth and is one of a range that the Germans developed. They also provided special mask for their dog units.

This gas mask was found at a German equipment dump in Rozières, France, in August 1918 by the British Army.

Details

Category:
Veterinary Medicine
Collection:
Sir Henry Wellcome's Museum Collection
Object Number:
A635089
Materials:
mask, leather, mask, jute, substitute, mask, iron, straps, canvas, case, fibre and case, resin
type:
gas mask
credit:
Loan, Wellcome Trust