{"product_id":"ww2-british-child-s-gas-mask-mickey-mouse-with-original-box","title":"WW2 British Child’s Gas Mask (Mickey Mouse) with Original Box","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOriginal WW2 British Child’s Civilian Respirator (‘Mickey Mouse’ Gas Mask) with Original Box\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAn original British \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWW2 Child’s Civilian Respirator\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, commonly referred to by collectors as the \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e‘Mickey Mouse’ Gas Mask\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, complete with its original cardboard storage box.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe “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.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIssued 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.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis 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.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eResearch \u0026amp; Provenance\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eI have carried out extensive genealogical research into the history of this respirator. The evidence strongly suggests it was originally issued to \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePamela I. Johns\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, born \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e19 April 1938\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e in Exeter, Devon, England. The 1939 England \u0026amp; Wales Register records Pamela living in Exeter with her parents, \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eReginald Johns\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e and \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCissie A. Johns\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, at the time these respirators were being distributed to children.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWhile 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.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCondition\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOriginal rubber facepiece.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOriginal head harness.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOriginal eyepieces.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOriginal filter assembly.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOriginal cardboard issue box included.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePlease study all photographs carefully as they form part of the description and accurately show the overall condition.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA fantastic opportunity to own an original and increasingly collectible piece of British Second World War Home Front history with well-researched provenance.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Hkmilitaria","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54576178659670,"sku":null,"price":99.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1023\/7316\/3350\/files\/FullSizeRender_faa10d1e-cacc-4a59-845e-a51d3c31a364.jpg?v=1784244497","url":"https:\/\/hkmilitaria.com\/products\/ww2-british-child-s-gas-mask-mickey-mouse-with-original-box","provider":"Hkmilitaria","version":"1.0","type":"link"}