*** Rare *** WW2 British Gas Cape

One of the rarest components of the WW2 British infantrymans kit a British army Anti-Gas cape still rolled up as was carried by the British soldier with his webbing equipment.
Complete with straps I partially unrolled it as can be seen in image 2 with the decision to unroll further left to the purchaser. Either way it is a rare piece.

The anti-gas cape was adopted in 1938 and was actually a full-length coat with sleeves, produced from a green oilskin fabric. A second pattern produced after June 1940 was manufactured from camouflage material. The cape was longer than the standard rain cape, coming to just below the knees, and was closed using a series of press stud snaps. Above the left hip is positioned a box pocket intended for anti-gas cream and cotton waste, holes in the arm pit allowed for ventilation with the back being shaped with a ‘hump’ to accommodate wearing of the small pack. As the war progressed and the threat of gas attack decreased it became common practice for soldiers to use it as a raincoat. It was normally carried rolled on top of the small pack or secured to the back of the webbing belt.

Code: 14618