Historical information

The Small Box Respirator was introduced into service with British and Imperial forces on the Western Front in 1916. It was produced following a concerted effort by authorities in the UK to provide its soldiers with an effective gas mask to replace the inefficient helmets

Significance

The Small Box Respirator ('SBR') proved to be the most effective gas mask produced during the First World War, and had a number of advantages over its French and German contemporaries.

Physical description

Canvas bag containing Small Box Respirator consisting of a rubberised fabric face mask, connected by a fabric covered rubber hose to a chemical absorbent canister made of tin plate.

Subjects