Description:

Europe, England, World War I era, ca. 1917 to 1918. Fascinating piece of militaria created to protect the crew of the earliest tanks that rolled onto the WWI battlefields of France and Belgium in 1917. Called a splatter mask, this leather, fabric, metal and chain mail device protected the crew from incoming machine gun bullets that ricocheted around the interior of the tank after usually passing easily through its external hull. Slit iron plates sewn between leather outer mask and inner liner tied with fabric laces. Tank mortality and blindness was quite high in the early days of tank usage and this ingenious device helped slightly in prevention of the latter. Size: 6" W x 6" H (15.2 cm x 15.2 cm); 18" H (45.7 cm) on included custom stand.

Provenance: private Boulder, Colorado, USA collection, acquired 2020; ex-Pennsylvania, USA auction house; ex-Allan Stone collection/Allan Stone Projects, New York, New York, USA

All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.

A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.

We ship worldwide and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.

#156038

  • Condition: Quite excellent. Staining to rear that might actually be blood from the original owner.

Accepted Forms of Payment:

American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Visa

Shipping

Auction House will ship, at Buyer's expense

June 4, 2020 8:00 AM MDT
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 26.5% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $299 $25
$300 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 + $20,000