Since first looking around COW I realised that somewhere I had a Gas Mask Bag somewhere. I knew it was in the garage (junk store) and I thought it was hanging from the roof beams witha sickle inside it. Not there any longer! Had a good look around (well a breif one anyway) and nothing. Found It today! On top of most of the stuff but underbeath a bucket used for storing car wash odds and ends.
I have had this bag since I was 12 or 13 and whilst collecting for a jumble sale (for our US cousins I think you would call it a Rummage Sale) somone gave me a complete set of WWII British Army '37 Webbing, including the Gas Mask Carrier. At various times I used all 3 bags for carrying my books to school: Large back pack, small back pack and Gas Mask Bag. I have also used this bag for carrying my car toolkit. This is the only part of the set I can remember still owning.
It is a bit the worse for wear and as you may be able to see from the photo below (if it works) impregnated with oil and all sorts of crud. It is currently soaking in a hot detergent mix in a large bucket in the shower room!
Wish me luck!
Emaresea
(Martin)
Last edited by emaresea on Wed Mar 28, 2007 2:18 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Hopefully the soaking you are giving the bag will help it out and you'll be able to mend it and use it again. If not it will still look cool hanging somewhere.
It is a bit the worse for wear and as you may be able to see from the photo below (if it works) impregnated with oil and all sorts of crud. It is currently soaking in a hot detergent mix in a large bucket in the shower room!
This won't work.
Mine was in the same condition after I bought it from a flee market in Athens.
It was the last one they had. I went there after one month and that the shop had closed forverer.
I tried the bucket and detergent myself, but there was only a 5% improvement.
Then I stuffed the bag in the washing machine (by itself) and washed it good. The result was excellent. The bag was clear as new. Great.
A pre-soak is always a good practice with something this scroungy and heavy.
I've experienced the same thing with heavy Carhartt canvas coats that have become oily and dirty from use in the garage. Straight to the machine and it's clean, but still dingy. Pre-soaked for a few hours then to the washer, 100% improvement.
My first MKVii was grubby but nowhere near as "experienced" as yours. I took the plunge and washed it on hot in a domestic washing machine. Came out fine. A few loose strands of cotton inside but nice and clean. Still using it today. (I don't advise hot... that was just me being reckless, try a more gentle temperature first!)
