French M2 Gas Mask And Metal Canister From World War I

French World War I Model M2 gas mask, complete with its carrying case and cover. Although it has remained folded, the material is still flexible; it is clear that the item has spent most of its life inside its case. Both cellophane eye pieces are intact and complete, although a small tear is visible at the seam of the left eye piece. The cotton carrying case features a button inscribed with “Paris” and retains its cotton strap. The box, originally painted “horizon blue,” was repainted “khaki” later during the war. Interestingly, the owner engraved his contact information on the bottom of the box: “Chambrin Robert 17700, 40th Infantry Division, 161st Infantry Regiment, 5th Company, Régiment des Portes de Fer.” A fine example that truly “lived through” the war.

Note –

Robert Léon Chambrin served in the 161st Infantry Regiment, 5th Company, the famous “Régiment des Portes de Fer.” The 161st Infantry Regiment was part of the French 40th Infantry Division and saw heavy action on the front lines throughout World War I. In 1915, the regiment took part in fierce fighting in the Argonne and during the Second Battle of Champagne. In 1916, it fought in the Battle of Verdun, particularly in the Mort-Homme and Cumières sectors, before being transferred to the Somme, where it fought near Rancourt and Sailly-Saillisel. Further engagements followed at Verdun in 1917, then on the Marne and the Meuse during the final campaigns of 1918.
The regiment’s flag bore the inscriptions: Argonne 1915, Champagne 1915, Verdun 1916–1917, the Somme 1916, the Marne 1918, and the Meuse 1918. For its outstanding service during the war, the regiment was awarded the Croix de Guerre 1914–1918 with five palms, as well as the fourragère in the colors of the Military Medal.
It is also worth noting that Chambrin obtained his driver’s license in 1916, at the age of 19. After the war, he set up shop as a mechanic at 11 Rue des Longs-Prés in Boulogne-Billancourt, where he sold automotive accessories, tires, oils, and benzene, while also providing garage services.
He later ventured into auto racing. In 1929, Chambrin competed in the famous Bol d’Or, a 24-hour race, as an independent entrant. Remarkably, he completed this grueling race, finishing third in the 1,100 cm³ sports car category and covering approximately 1,057 kilometers. In 1930, he held a racing license issued by the sports commission of the Automobile Club de France and raced behind the wheel of a Chenard & Walcker “Torpille” (a vehicle he had recently sold). On November 11, 1930, Chambrin entered car No. 108 in the 8th edition of the Coupes de l’Armistice, a demanding road race held in the Paris area. There, he won the 1,500 cm³ sports car class, finishing ahead of Madame Leblanc’s Peugeot and Brunetti’s Salmson. In 1940, Chambrin was called up again, this time to serve in the anti-aircraft defense (DCA).
The M2 gas mask was a French-made piece of equipment used by French, British, and American forces from April 1916 to August 1918 during World War I. Produced in large quantities—approximately 29,300,000 were manufactured during the conflict—it was designed to protect the wearer from at least five hours of exposure to phosgene, a common chemical weapon at the time.