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RAF type H oxygen mask, WW2 dated

Code: O18722

Size medium.  Dated 1-45.  Rare wartime dated example of this otherwise relatively common mask.  The rubber facepiece is quite soiled but in reasonably good condition.  Overall shape is fair, the mask has clearly been squashed from one side giving a lop-sided appearance unless some padding material is packed into the inside.   The rubber is suprisingly  strong, flexible and largely free of damage although here is some cracking around the base of the mask where the edges are folding inwards.  This is most notable when the mask is not padded (see photograph 12).  The pearl grey suede lining is complete and really quite clean.  Fitted with a rather worn looking type 57 microphone assembly and a good tan coloured loom with correct large 2-pin socket.  The rubber loom sheathing adjacent to the microphone has perished but this could be changed quite easily.  The harness is complete, though grubby,  a little ragged and lacking elasticity.  There is corrosion on the wire retaining the lower part of the harness.  These late war H-masks are very difficult to obtain in any condition and are considerably rarer than a G-type mask.  A reasonably good   used example that displays well.   1-1945 is the earliest date we have found on a type H mask.  Stock code O18722.