WORLD WAR ONE BOX RESPIRATOR ID’D TO 103RD AERO SQUADRON

$65.00 SOLD

Quantity Available: None

Item Code: 429-19

Mask comes housed in a square khaki canvas bag complete with a flap held in place by the lift/dot method and adjustable sling made of the same material.

The surface of the bag is in good condition with light surface dirt and scattered staining. One side of the bag has a painted red rectangle and the initials “FC.H.” in black ink. The opposite side of the bag is marked with an old piece of masking tape with “FRACK – HUNTER / 103 AERO - SQDN” written on it in ink. Top of bag flap is marked “WIDE” for size and also has an inventory number. Sling has keepers covered in verdigris and sling is almost torn through in one spot but is otherwise complete. Exterior of the bag also has a section of thin robe for tying around the body.

The mask on the interior is dry and stiff but complete with the hose and respirator filter. Attached to the filer is a blank record card. Inside the bag is also a can of anti-dim compound.

The name on the bag of “Frack Hunter” does not turn up anywhere and “FRACK” is probably a nickname. There was an ace in the 103rd Squadron by the name of Frank O. Hunter. Could be him but it is doubtful.

A short on-line biography of the squadron reads:

The 103d Aero Squadron was an aviation pursuit squadron of the U.S. Air Service that served in combat in France during World War I. Its original complement included pilots from the disbanded Lafayette Escadrille and Lafayette Flying Corps. One of those pilots, Paul F. Baer, became the first ace of an American unit in World War I.

The 103d Aero Squadron was the first U.S. pursuit squadron in action during World War I and had the longest combat service, from 19 February to 11 November 1918. It earned six battle participation credits, flew 470 combat missions, engaged in 327 combats, destroyed 45 German aircraft in aerial combat and claimed an additional 40 as probably destroyed, shot down two balloons, flew 3,075 hours over the front lines, and dropped 4,620 pounds of bombs. Its casualties were five killed in action, two killed in flying accidents, four prisoners of war, three wounded in action, and one injured in a forced landing.

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