WW1 British Tank/Splatter Mask

With the current market full of fake WW1 British tank masks I am pleased to be able to offer this totally 100% original example complete with its original fastening tapes that have never been off.
These iconic chainmail masks were issued to British tank crewmen in WW1 to protect against splinters & bullet splash which were an ever present hazard within the confines of Britains early tanks.
Available as of November 1917 it consisted of a leather covered two part metal plate with slitted eyepieces & a chainmail face guard . To the face side of the mask was a soft chamois leather covering neatly handstitched at its outer edges where the outer covering meets the inner. Two head ties are stitched to the side brackets.
This example is complete with all of its leather face covering , its inner chamois face lining & original ties. Showing minor wear the leather is in excellent condition with all of the chainmail intact. The leather is a distinctive grained pigskin hide which under close examination shows tiny holes from where hairs once grew. A twin threaded needle has been skilfully used in the stitching around the edges as is correct & should be seen on all original examples. This is well seated in as only natural age can do. The eye slits are hand cut & a little crude as opposed to the fakes which are laser cut with perfectly even edges. Finally, the chainmail has a heavy zinc galvanised finish only seen on original examples.
A rare original item of WW1 British tank crewmens protective headgear.
***On the fascinating subject of British tank units of WW1 if you have not been to the excavated tank 'Deborah' museum in Flesquieres, Cambrai I highly recommend it ! ***

Code: 14781