Dutch Military Gas Mask with Filter
QUICK FACTS
Categories
Era
1970s-1980s
Origin
🇳🇱 Netherlands
Rarity
Average (4/10)
Discovered
Jan 14, 2026
1 months ago
DESCRIPTION
A black rubber military-grade gas mask with two circular eyepieces and an attached screw-on filter canister. The head harness is made of elasticized fabric straps, showing some age and wear. The filter canister is dark, cylindrical, and features a yellow sticker with an unidentifiable symbol. A date '12/82' is visible on the filter mounting, and a hand-written tag with '64 0817-172' is attached to the head harness.
CULTURAL ECHOES
Where This Object Echoes
Similar designs and materials were used across many NATO and Warsaw Pact nations for military and civil defense gas masks during the Cold War.
Ritual & Ceremonial Use
- •Military training exercises for chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) defense.
- •Civil defense preparedness campaigns, where families were sometimes issued or encouraged to procure such equipment.
Meaning Through Time
Primarily a terrifying necessity of trench warfare and urban defense against devastating chemical attacks.
Symbol of constant vigilance, potential global conflict, and civilian preparedness against nuclear or chemical threats.
Collectible historical artifact, sometimes repurposed as a prop in film or theater, or seen as a symbol of dystopian themes.
HISTORICAL STORY
DID YOU KNOW?
The standard NATO 40mm threaded filter connection, visible on this mask, was developed in the 1950s and is still widely used today, ensuring interoperability between masks and filters from different manufacturers and nations.
Early gas masks used materials like rubberized fabric and activated charcoal for filtration, with designs continuously improving to offer better seal, field of vision, and breathability for extended use.
MATERIAL & CONDITION
Surface
The surface is primarily matte black rubber, showing some signs of cracking and creasing consistent with age and use. The head straps are woven elastic fabric, and the filter canister is hard plastic or metal with a textured, possibly painted, surface.
Weight & Feel
The item appears to be of moderate weight, primarily due to the dense rubber material and the filter canister, which would likely contain absorbent materials.
Condition
The rubber mask shows 'gebruik sporen' (signs of use), with visible cracking, particularly around the filter attachment area, and significant creasing in the rubber. The fabric straps exhibit wear, and the hand-written tag is discolored and worn.
RARITY ANALYSIS
Typical antique shop fare. Requires some searching but regularly available. This is where most genuine antiques fall.
Typical Characteristics
- Standard antique shop items
- Regularly available
- Moderate collector interest
ESTIMATED VALUE
Updated: Jan 14, 2026
- Market comparables from auctions & retail
- Condition, completeness & craftsmanship
- Current collector demand & trends
- Low = quick sale, high = patient seller
For informational purposes only, not a formal appraisal.
CONTEXT ANALYSIS
How your provided context compares with Curiosa.com scanner findings.
What Aligned
- User stated 'Nederland' as origin, which is consistent with the type of military surplus found in European collections.
- User stated '1972' as time period, which aligns with the date '12/82' on the filter, suggesting production or expiry in December 1982, making it plausible for the mask itself to be from the 1970s or early 80s, and the tag '64 0817-172' could be an inventory number or earlier production mark.
- User described 'Gebruik sporen' (signs of use), which is clearly visible as cracking and creasing on the rubber and wear on the straps.
SHARE THIS CURIOSITY
Have your own curiosities to discover?
Scan Your Curiosity
COMMENTS
No comments yet. Be the first to share your thoughts!
Sign in to leave a comment