How does the well-dressed Tommy wear is gas-mask bag?

[StvGray]

I'm trying to find out if there's a norm or policy for the way gas-mask bags were worn by Brutish forces in WW1.  It looks from some pics (e.g. attached) that may have been worn with the flap fastened towards the chest (which seems practical for a number of reasons) but most illustrations or more formal pictures show the flap facing outwards.  

Can anyone enlighten me, please?

[TullochArd]

Welcome StvGray ....... and a good question.  I can't answer that but someone will be along shortly that can.  Regarding the bottom photo - the jackets suggest these are Americans and not well-dressed Tommies.

[Andrew Upton]

32 minutes ago, StvGray said:

I'm trying to find out if there's a norm or policy for the way gas-mask bags were worn by Brutish forces in WW1.  It looks from some pics (e.g. attached) that may have been worn with the flap fastened towards the chest (which seems practical for a number of reasons) but most illustrations or more formal pictures show the flap facing outwards.  

Can anyone enlighten me, please?

In the WW1 period when the SBR is worn on the chest in the Alert Position it is so that with the flap closed the press studs of the bag are against the body. This helps prevent dirt, rain, etc getting into the bag and negatively affecting the mask itself. Should there be a credible threat of gas being used or when the mask itself is actually worn the press studs for the flap are released and the flap is folded away from the body so quick access to the inside of the bag isn't impeded. Unfortunately a lot of WW1 reenactors (and the odd museum display) get this wrong and tend to put the bag on backwards. 

[Chasemuseum]

Also the group of US soldiers are using British SBR not the USA CE-SBR.

[StvGray]

1 hour ago, TullochArd said:

Welcome StvGray ....... and a good question.  I can't answer that but someone will be along shortly that can.  Regarding the bottom photo - the jackets suggest these are Americans and not well-dressed Tommies.

Good point!  Thanks, TullochArd.  

51 minutes ago, Andrew Upton said:

In the WW1 period when the SBR is worn on the chest in the Alert Position it is so that with the flap closed the press studs of the bag are against the body. This helps prevent dirt, rain, etc getting into the bag and negatively affecting the mask itself. Should there be a credible threat of gas being used or when the mask itself is actually worn the press studs for the flap are released and the flap is folded away from the body so quick access to the inside of the bag isn't impeded. Unfortunately a lot of WW1 reenactors (and the odd museum display) get this wrong and tend to put the bag on backwards. 

Andrew, that's exactly what I was looking for--thank you!

[Pete_C]

On 16/08/2022 at 14:02, Andrew Upton said:

Unfortunately a lot of WW1 reenactors (and the odd museum display) get this wrong and tend to put the bag on backwards. 

…..for example, The Imperial War Museum, London.

 

[StvGray]

12 minutes ago, Pete_C said:

…..for example, The Imperial War Museum, London.

 

This was one of the reasons I asked, Pete.  Interesting that the d-rings for the lacing should give the game away, too.  

[TullochArd]

10 minutes ago, Pete_C said:

…..for example, The Imperial War Museum, London.

 

An excellent photo which also shows the two small clips that should be worn nearest the body and used to secure the haversack tightly to the chest by cord.  Pretty useless if tied in this position as they will only serve to tighten the haversack and may snag the contents. 

[Pete_C]

5 minutes ago, TullochArd said:

An excellent photo which also shows the two small clips that should be worn nearest the body and used to secure the haversack tightly to the chest by cord.  Pretty useless if tied in this position as they will only serve to tighten the haversack and may snag the contents. 

To be fair, that’s an old photo - the display has since been updated to move the bag up to the alert position, but that’s all…..

[TullochArd]

5 minutes ago, Pete_C said:

To be fair, that’s an old photo - the display has since been updated to move the bag up to the alert position, but that’s all…..

....... and I'll bet any soldier with five blue Foreign Service Chevrons (the maximum War Service and an extra year in Russia) would have gone to the trouble to do his ammunition pouches up.......and what is happening with that collar on the jacket?