French Army Surplus Gas Mask Filter

French Army Filter

This is a genuine French Army gas mask filter: a cylindrical olive drab canister that screws onto the front of a respirator and cleans the air drawn through it. It comes with both of its storage closures, a knurled screw cap over the threaded neck and a clear plastic plug on the intake face. Collectors use it to complete a French mask, reenactors use it for period-correct kit, and preparedness buyers keep it as a spare.

Features

• Genuine French Army Issue — This filter was made for French military supply, so you get original government kit rather than a commercial lookalike.
• Threaded Brass-Toned Neck — The male thread on top screws into the filter port on the mask, and the metal neck holds its shape through repeated fitting.
• Knurled Screw Cap — A ridged-edge cap threads over the neck to close off the outlet in storage and gives your fingers a firm grip when you remove it.
• Clear Intake Plug — A transparent plastic plug with a pull tab seals the air inlet on the base until the filter is put into use.
• Internal Perforated Screen — A screen of small mesh-covered holes inside the neck sits between the filter bed and the mask.
• Ribbed Olive Drab Canister — Radial ribs pressed into both faces stiffen the can, and the matte olive drab finish matches French-issue field gear.
• Stamped Service Markings — The top face carries an ABL stamp and an 08/81 over 003 code, consistent with the date and lot marks found on military filters.

Markings and Build

The canister follows the pattern of French military filters, with a squat round body, a raised threaded neck and pressed ribs radiating from the center on both faces. Its stamped markings tie each piece to its issue batch, which matters to collectors who date their kit. Before you buy, check that the thread matches the filter port on your mask, since thread standards differ between countries and mask models.