Germany, Heer. A Rare and Unused Tropical M30 Gas Mask, with Canister, Owner-Attributed Example

(Heer Gasmaske M30 und Tornister). An extremely well-preserved Heer M30 gas mask, constructed of a field-grey rubberized cloth, with two field-grey painted aluminum alloy rings accommodating transparent plastic eyepieces, with a protruding field-grey aluminum alloy snout connecting to a filter with a field-grey painted magnetic metal casing, in unused condition and retaining a pull tab, retaining all elasticized straps with functional buckles and with a rubberized brown imitation suede liner to form a tight seal around the wearer’s face, the mask size marked “2”, the filter stamped with a Waffenamt mark indicating manufacture by Auer-Werke, with a manufacture date of “OKTOBER 39”, secreted within its original carrying canister, constructed of a ribbed a khaki-tan painted magnetic metal shell, with dual loops accommodating an original khaki-tan cotton twill carrying strap, with an additional hinge accommodating retractable lid with an elasticized closure, the interior with compartments retaining spare eyepieces and filters, the former bearing an illegible stamped Waffenamt mark, a code of “ATF 40” for an unidentified but documented manufacturer of Wehrmacht field gear, also bearing a handwritten owner’s rank and name of “GEFR. BRÜCKNER”, the canister measuring 13 cm (w) x 27.5 cm (h), a rare early-war, matching, unused set, particularly notable as soldiers in the North African theatre often discarded their masks to carry extra rations in the canister owing to hostile climate conditions, in extremely fine condition.