NOTES: The French Tampon T was one of the first masks used by the French in an attempt to defend against German chlorine gas clouds. The Tampon T was usually issued with a separate pair of goggles (lunettes) to protect the wearer's eyes (not pictured). The mask was made of several layers of impregnated fabric. Intact Tampon T masks are very scarce today in any condition.

NOTES: The French M2 was originally made with a single clear cellulose eye piece, but was later updated with two circular eye pieces, as with the specimen pictured to the right. Like most early WWI gas masks, the M2 was made from several layers of fabric soaked in absorbent chemicals. The French M2 is the most commonly found WWI French gas masks, but it is still quite rare and typically expensive when found today. It might also be noted that the French M2 was issued in large quantity to American Doughboys during the war as a back up respirator. The M2 was typically issued in a half-circle shaped pouch and sometimes in a rectangular metal tin.

NOTES: The A.R.S. gas mask is special in that it was the basis for many French masks to follow, and also several other masks of a similar design manufactured by other countries. This version of the A.R.S. was the initial type, made from both rubber and fabric with two circular cellulose eye pieces. The A.R.S. was issued and carried in a short metal can.

NOTES: The A.R.S. gas mask is special in that it was the basis for many French masks to follow, and also several other masks of a similar design manufactured by other countries. This version of the A.R.S. used an updated head harness virtually identical to the later A.N.P. T 31.

NOTES: The Modèle R.S.C. was a civilian mask manufactured by S.E.C.M.P. (Société d' Etude et de Construction de Matériel de Protection). It is very similar to the A.R.S. in design and it came in a similar metal carrying can. Unlike the earlier A.R.S., the R.S.C.'s filter inlet was positioned slightly lower than the A.R.S. which allowed for a small exhale valve to be incorporated above the inlet housing. The R.S.C. design was copied in Poland, Slovenia and possibly a few other countries.

NOTES: The A.N.P. T 31 is very similar in appearance and design to the earlier A.R.S. gas mask. The A.N.P. T 31 was the standard mask used by the French military during the inter-war years and on into WWII. It was typically used with a long breathing tube and a single filter canister.

NOTES: Like the A.N.P. T 31, the T.C. 38 also owes its design to the earlier A.R.S. gas mask. The T.C. 38 is for the most part identical to the A.N.P. T 31, but it was issued without the long, corrugated breathing tube. The T.C. 38 also came in a tall cardboard container or a metal canister as opposed to a canvas carrier as with the A.N.P. T 31.

NOTES: The Securit gas mask is very similar to the
T.C. 38, but was made of sheet rubber. The Securit is also very similar to the Salvator masks (see below) but had smaller eye pieces and a different head harness configuration.

NOTES: The Salvator gas mask is very similar to the
T.C. 38, but was made of sheet rubber. There were several different versions of the Salvator, one made of smooth brown rubber (at right) and at least two different versions made from varying black rubber (see below).

NOTES: The Salvator gas mask is very similar to the
T.C. 38, but was made of sheet rubber. There were at least two versions of the Salvator made from black rubber. The example pictured to the right was made of smooth black rubber.

NOTES: The Salvator gas mask is very similar to the
T.C. 38, but was made of sheet rubber. There were at least two versions of the Salvator made from black rubber. The example pictured to the right was made of textured black rubber.

NOTES: The A.F.M. 34 is a rare French Navy mask that was issued with a special helmet designed specifically for use with the A.F.M. 34. The front of the face piece of the mask was made from solid painted metal, with sides composed of a canvas material similar the A.N.P. T 31. The filter canister was connected to a corrugated rubber tube that was attached to the metal face piece between the eyes. The filter canister was then suspended behind the head via a metal clip that protruded through a hole in the back of the helmet. The metal clip was attached to the mask's head harness and was not part of the helmet itself. This design was most likely intended to make it easier and less cumbersome to wear aboard ships, were close quarters and confined spaces were abundant. The A.F.M. 34 was also sold commercially, where it was designated the Appareil L.M.B..

NOTES: The G.E.P. gas mask is a rare WWII civilian mask with a large clear plastic visor. The face piece was made of leather and was held in place via a six point elastic head harness. The mask used a standard sized French filter canister which was attached via a threaded inlet assembly. An exhale valve was also present beneath the inlet assembly.

NOTES: The M.S.P. 1934 gas mask is a rare WWII civilian mask with two clear plastic visors. The construction of the mask is very similar to the G.E.P. (above). The mask pictured to the right is missing the seven point head harness. The mask was used with both a filter attached directly to the face piece and also with a corrugated hose and filter.

NOTES: The Le Gallus gas mask is a strange mask made of khaki rubber that looks very similar to the British General Service Respirator and also similar to the Czech Vz. 35.

NOTES: The Ajax F. 2 is a simple mask very similar to the Italian T. 35. The mask was issued in a tall cardboard contained similar to the ones used with the T.C. 38. The filter canister used is also similar to the ones used with the T.C. 38 gas masks.

NOTES: The C38 is a common WWII era French gas mask that was manufactured throughout the early war years. There were several different versions of the C38 made with slightly different face pieces and several types of rubber. The version pictured to the right was made from a brownish colored rubber. The C38 typically came in a tall gray metal canister.

NOTES: The C38 is a common WWII era French gas mask that was manufactured throughout the early war years. There were several different versions of the C38 made with slightly different face pieces and several types of rubber. The version pictured to the right was made from a black rubber. The C38 typically came in a tall gray metal canister.

NOTES: This version of the C 38 is a post war version manufactured in two parts with a face seam in the middle. This version was used for police and riot control officers. Overall, this version is almost identical to the WWII versions.

NOTES: The Fernez Gas Mask is a rare, commercially produced civilian mask. It is very similar in design to the
C 38, and came in a similar tall metal carrying canister. The Fernez mask is quite rare today as this mask was sold as a private purchase mask, and therefore was most likely manufactured in much smaller numbers when compared to other French masks from the same time period.

NOTES: The common M 51 is a simple mask most likely inspired by the earlier C38. It was manufactured in large quantity where it was used in France and Belgium. It was later updated and designated the M 51/53 (see below).

NOTES: The M 51/53 is simply an upgraded version of the M 51. The face piece mold is almost identical, but the exhale valve was modified significantly.