WW2 British Child’s Gas Mask (Mickey Mouse) with Original Box

Original WW2 British Child’s Civilian Respirator (‘Mickey Mouse’ Gas Mask) with Original Box

An original British WW2 Child’s Civilian Respirator, commonly referred to by collectors as the ‘Mickey Mouse’ Gas Mask, complete with its original cardboard storage box.

The “LOT 326” marking on the respirator is a removable auction house identification label from a previous sale. It is not an original wartime marking and does not affect the item’s authenticity.

Issued to young children during the Second World War as part of Britain’s civil defence programme, these distinctive respirators were manufactured in bright colours to make them less frightening for children during air raids and gas attack precautions. Today they are among the most recognisable pieces of British Home Front history.

This example retains its original harness, eyepieces, filter assembly and accompanying issue box, making it an attractive display piece for collectors of British militaria, Home Front equipment and wartime civil defence artefacts.

Research & Provenance

I have carried out extensive genealogical research into the history of this respirator. The evidence strongly suggests it was originally issued to Pamela I. Johns, born 19 April 1938 in Exeter, Devon, England. The 1939 England & Wales Register records Pamela living in Exeter with her parents, Reginald Johns and Cissie A. Johns, at the time these respirators were being distributed to children.

While it is impossible to guarantee attribution with complete certainty after more than 80 years, the surviving evidence provides an unusually interesting historical connection and adds to the story behind this piece.

Condition

• Original rubber facepiece.
• Original head harness.
• Original eyepieces.
• Original filter assembly.
• Original cardboard issue box included.
• Please study all photographs carefully as they form part of the description and accurately show the overall condition.

A fantastic opportunity to own an original and increasingly collectible piece of British Second World War Home Front history with well-researched provenance.