British Protection Mask ????

[Robspad]

Hello !
I buy goggle with metal protection mask ???,
but I don't know what's this for ???
To be in use in WW2 ???
What to put this mask???
See photo.
Sorry my English.
Greetings
Robert

[Haplo]

Hi Robert.

The goggles are used by people like despatch riders and other vehicle drivers.
They look like w2 issue to me.
But i don't know what those metal plates are for.
I can not find them that quick.

What does the words on the metal say?
I can not really see it quite clearly.

[Robspad]

Hi Haplo !
The inscription reads as follows:

MARTINDALE PROTECTIVE MASK
' FOR NUISANCE DUSTS ONLY '

BRIT. PAT. 1075346 & OTHERS
MARTINDALE PROTECTION LTD.
LONDON N.W.10

[Haplo]

Hi Robert.

It seems like it is something of a dust mask.
only i don't kow what nuisance means.
Maybe you can transelate it for yourselfe to polish?

What seems strange to me is that is is plain steel.
Its not padded with felt.
So i don't see and understand how you should ware this without hurting or cutting yourself.
The edges look sharp to me.

But also you can put it on as far as i can see due to the laces.
Dou you have a mannequin head or someting?
Try putting it on and see what it looks like.
The lower gap seems to be made for the nose.
But i am really not sure about it.

I really would love to find out what this is.

Regards,
Sipke

[Haplo]

Robert,

I found out that martindale still exsists today.
I have sent them a email in the hope that they know what it is.

I will let you know what they said to me in the reply.

Cheers,
Sipke

[asjemenou]

Like Haplo already told in his reaction, the goggles are used by British WWII dispatch riders, tank crew and so on. By the way, it’s a very interesting piece which is complete with its original packing.
To be honest I have never seen these metal (aluminium?!) masks before but I have the idea that they are mouth caps for dispatch riders. To protect a part of the face against dirt, grit or other small materials. The word nuisance means that something can be unpleasant. So, getting grit or other small materials into your face during a ride on a motorcycle can be very unpleasant and painfully.
The meaning of the small (folding) nubs (see arrows) on the masks could be to attach it on a dispatch helmet.

[Wouter]

Sipke, nuisance means 'vervelend'

[Haplo]

Robert,

I allready have a awnser.
Those masks where made from the 1920's until some years ago.

Here is the link to a website i got today.
http://www.pjonline.com/Editorial/20001 ... rator.html

You have to scroll all the way down.
There you will find the mask.
It is being used with a replaceable gauze mask.

You will see a discription at the lowest part of the tekst.

The Martindale Smog Mask (Figure 7) was a metal frame holding a replaceable gauze mask. It was designed to filter the particles out of the thick fogs or smogs so prevalent in Britain up to the mid 20th century. It is now marketed as the Martindale Particle Dust Mask.
From about 1920 medical dictionaries did not recommend the general use of oral respirators for everyday use, especially in children, as the moist atmosphere generated within the apparatus harboured and encouraged the growth of bacteria. It was thought better to apply a handkerchief or, better still, to breathe through the nose where air was naturally warmed and filtered.

[Haplo]

I had a new reply a few minutes ago.
He isn't sure if it really is a ww2 issue.
But it is a fact that is isn't a military issue.

It is a dust only respirator, but maybe it could be privatly purchased.

He is going to do some reasearch.
I will come back on this treath later on.

Edit:
I have received a new mail.
I will quote his words.

sorry to disappoint you but I have found the drawing and "BRIT. PAT. 1075346 & OTHERS" was only added to the mask in 1974 hence the mask is newer than May 1974

I suspect that somebody has been using the goggles to do some DIY or something

[asjemenou]

You did some good research Haplo. Now we know what kind of (dust) masks they are.

[Haplo]

Thanks.
But to be hounest, you where also quite good in the correct direction.
To bad that they are not a ww2 issue.

[rood]

Is there a broad arrow on the items?

[Robspad]

No broad arrow.
Thanks all for riddle solution.
Robert

[Haplo]

No problem Robert.