Bastille Day 2009

The country that avoids war and the country that fights but has a hard time winning have been combined. The Swiss made some excellent firearms and the French made some unique and occasionally inspiring ones. We have added the Belgian and Dutch since they are neighbors.

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1886lebel
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Re: Bastille Day 2009

Post by 1886lebel » Fri Jul 17, 2009 10:04 am

Now as to hair on the head ... The French soilder did indeed cut his hair quite frequently, they almost barely any hair on the head. They had haircuts that closely resembled military haircuts we see today in the various armies today, close and tight. They knew that this helped prevent lice and other things in the trenches. They did groom their beards and moustaches quite often.
Patrick
Vive la République Française, le Lebel et le poilu
Verdun 1916: "Ils ne Passeront pas" "On les aura!"
Fusil d'Infanterie Modèle 1886 Modifié 1893 dit "Lebel"

Vive le Pinard !
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=axfM1sFqIK0
riptidenj
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Re: Bastille Day 2009

Post by riptidenj » Sun Jul 19, 2009 4:53 pm

What about the gas mask? In my day-US Army 1967-1971 as an EM, the official explanation was that more than 3 days growth of bear would break the face seal on the then issue M-17 gas mask. Beards and mustaches were going of fashion in the USA by the start of WWI, Benjamin Harrison (1889-1893) was the last US president to wear a beard, William Howard Taft (1909-1913) was the last US president to wear a mustache. WWI Army Chief of Staff Peyton C. March wore a Van Dyke but he was never exposed to poison gas. Also in the British Army only sergeants and above could wear a mustache.
1886lebel
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Re: Bastille Day 2009

Post by 1886lebel » Sun Jul 19, 2009 5:41 pm

The French masks have a different type of seal than modern masks which are made of neoprene (rubber), these were made of leather and/or canvas, so seals were alot different. The M2 Masque used a one-piece compress bandage" that was soaked in an anti-gas solution that covered the face completely. Basically you are placing your whole face inside this bandage.
The Masque ARS: ("ARS" [appareil respiratoire spécial] ) is like a modern type mask, it is made of two layer of fabric, the outside one is a one face rubberized fabric, the rubber inside, and the second layer is of castor oiled fabric. Inside the mask, a rubberized fabric poket based upon the Tissot principle, drives the inlet air flow against the celluloïd eyeglasses to prevent the moisture. These used a metal or carton filter which screwed on the bottom front of the mask by means of a metal base plate were the mask body is attached on. The metal filter consists out of three layers, each of which having a special composition and purpose. This composition was changed during 1918, to provide better protection to arsine gas. Arsine gas was used as from 1917 by the German army and was based on arsenic. Although not mortal, the gas was so violent that the soldier was forced to get out of his mask. When arsine was combined with a deadly poising gas, it was proven very efficient. To make the ARS filters more effective, an additional cotton layer was installed in the filter. These masks weres tightened on the head by means of seven points rubberized elastic straps. The head harness consists of two elastically straps - of which one is attached in front of the head and the other at the back side of the head. These two straps are attached to each other using an third one which runs from left to right. At the back side, an additional strap runs along the lower part of the head and is fixed with a large hook at the right side of the mask. The production of the gas masks was ordered on February 26th , and delivery started during November, 1917. From November 1917 until November 1918, more than 5 million masks were produced and delivered to the army.
The ARS was kept in a metal can in either blue (Blue Horizon) or in dark brown color. The can exterior contained three metal bars for attaching the straps. One strap went over the left shoulder, using the two metal bars of the upper part of the bow, while a third small strap was attached to one of the tunic buttons , to prevent swinging of the can.
Patrick
Vive la République Française, le Lebel et le poilu
Verdun 1916: "Ils ne Passeront pas" "On les aura!"
Fusil d'Infanterie Modèle 1886 Modifié 1893 dit "Lebel"

Vive le Pinard !
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=axfM1sFqIK0
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Woftam
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Re: Bastille Day 2009

Post by Woftam » Mon Jul 20, 2009 7:10 am

Also in the British Army only sergeants and above could wear a mustache.
Which period are you referring to here ?
I've always been under the impression that until 1916 it was prohibited to shave the upper lip in the British Army, certainly many of the period photos of early WW1 (and earlier) show moustaches on a variety of ranks.
Patrick,
thanks for the information on the French side of the facial hair business, most informative.
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