Original British WWI Tanker Leather Covered Splatter Mask with Chainmail Mouth Guard

Original British WWI Tanker Leather Covered Splatter Mask with Chainmail Mouth Guard

Authenticated by The UK Tank Museum as original - Tank Crew Face Mask

Officially approved on 9 July 1917, the face mask design was given the classic British War Office nomenclature description of Goggles, Steel, with chain mail for use in Tanks. The initial order was for 7,000, with sources suggesting around 5,000 issued to tank crews for the battle at Cambrai.

The mask consisted of two steel curved plates plus a leather nose section. Below it hung chain mail to protect the mouth and chin. It featured horizontal eye slits in the steel and two cotton ties to secure it around the wearers head.

These masks were designed to protect tank crews from shrapnel known as splash and spalling, both of which could cause severe injuries. Hot splinters of steel and paint flakes, referred to as spalling, resulted from damage to the internal armor when the external surface was hit. Splash was caused by bullets melting on impact with the hardened tank armor, with the hot liquid metal finding its way through gaps in the riveted and bolted plates.