Original Rare British WWI Tankers Leather Covered Armor Face Mask with Chainmail Mouth Guard

Original Item: One of a Kind. This is an incredibly rare British WW1 tanker's face mask, constructed from steel plate covered in leather, hand sewn, with slotted eyepieces for protection as well as visibility. The bottom is fitted with a chainmail mouth and chin guard, secured to larger rings on the "mask" and also hanging down from the sides. The piece is secured to the tanker's head by by four cotton tie straps to rear of neck. Beautifully constructed. This has never been issued and it has been confused as being made a replica. In our view it is not a replica, but was made in the first world war and never reached the front lines. Tanks were first introduced on the field in 1916 and were experimental in nature. These facemasks were one of the first innovations to help protect the crew for shrapnel flying around inside the tank. The war unexpectedly ended in November 1918, with the overthrow of the Kaiser. Even the Americans had estimated the wars duration to last until 1921 so many ex