French WWI Tampon P Gas Mask Carrier With Gas Defense Goggles

French WWI Tampon P Gas Mask Carrier With Gas Defense Goggles

29.5cm x 17cm (11-3/4" x 6-5/8") rectangular horizon blue treated fabric carrier has brown cloth interior and is divided into two compartments.  This closes with a flap and twill tape loops, and has brown twill tape attachment loops at either side.  Contains a set of gas defense goggles such with a brown rubberized fabric pad mounted by two metal eye bezels with isinglass lenses such as you see on the later M2 gas mask.  One of these lenses is intact, the other broken.  Interior has white felt lining and the sides have white twill tape attachment ties.  Lacks the chemically-treated fabric pad mask portion of this lashup.

Issued to French soldiers from late 1915, the Tampon P (“Pad P”) was a chemically-treated fabric pad intended to protect against chlorine gas attack. The second version carrier introduced a dedicated compartment for gas defense goggles, reflecting evolving threat conditions and the importance of full facial protection. This equipment remained in primary service through early 1916 until more advanced mask designs supplanted it. In April 1916, the Tampon P and its variations—including the Tampon TN—were phased out and replaced by the French M2 gas mask, which offered enhanced protection, durability, and improved vision for soldiers exposed to a wide range of chemical weapons. The M2, initially produced with a single rectangular viewing piece, was upgraded to two circular eyepieces and saw widespread use with French, American, British, and other Allied troops until late in World War I.

$500 - $700