British Ordnance Collectors Network
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German gas bottles
- Thread starter SG500
- Start date
The bottles come in two sizes for the 7.7cm, one (as shown) for the long model (7.7cm I.F.K Gr), one much shorter for the short projectile (K. GR 16). Either can be found with green glass or white porcelain tops - or bottoms (?), as they sat upside down in the projectiles. There is also a larger size for the 10.5cm, but these were much more difficult to remove intact from the munition and very few are seen.
The chemical is diphenylchloroarsine/diphenylcyanoarsine (DA/DC or Clark I/Clark II). A sternatory agent normally known as either sneezing or vomiting agent. While not very toxic in small doses it is heavy in arsenic, which stays in the system.
The bottles are frequently seen for sale in Belgium or France, Germany reportedly fired 13 million of the clark projectiles (blue cross) during the war. I used to find the bottles occasionally at the monthly show in Arlon, Belgium, but was told by the man selling them that he was no longer emptying them as all of his cats had died. Keep in mind that at many of these small shows in Belgium and France munitions regulations are frequently not enforced, with many of the items being sold by relic hunters with no idea of what they have. I have seen numerous shows where about one piece in ten contained at least live components, some much worse. Use caution.
The chemical is diphenylchloroarsine/diphenylcyanoarsine (DA/DC or Clark I/Clark II). A sternatory agent normally known as either sneezing or vomiting agent. While not very toxic in small doses it is heavy in arsenic, which stays in the system.
The bottles are frequently seen for sale in Belgium or France, Germany reportedly fired 13 million of the clark projectiles (blue cross) during the war. I used to find the bottles occasionally at the monthly show in Arlon, Belgium, but was told by the man selling them that he was no longer emptying them as all of his cats had died. Keep in mind that at many of these small shows in Belgium and France munitions regulations are frequently not enforced, with many of the items being sold by relic hunters with no idea of what they have. I have seen numerous shows where about one piece in ten contained at least live components, some much worse. Use caution.
If you are looking for some, i have about 10 pieces left, regards Ben
the ones that i have are empty and inert, cleaned 40 years ago, Ben
Der_Feldgraue
Well-Known Member
There is an open part in the forest somewere near Verdun where they opened gas shells and burned the filling many years ago. There is still no tree or anything growing there and at one spot you can still find parts of these bottles. I think the complete ones already "moved" to dealers and collectors all around Europe.
Btw. it is an extremely strange feeling standing in this area. You don't even want to breathe there...
Btw. it is an extremely strange feeling standing in this area. You don't even want to breathe there...
same bottles as discussed here: http://www.bocn.co.uk/vbforum/ww1-german-gas-t31605.html?t=31605&highlight=chemical
looking to buy one of these
As a Chem / Bio Weapons guy for the EOD field. I am always looking to get something new to show students and EOD troops that come through the Tech Div. If someone is willing to sell one I would be most interested in buying or trading for one.
joe
As a Chem / Bio Weapons guy for the EOD field. I am always looking to get something new to show students and EOD troops that come through the Tech Div. If someone is willing to sell one I would be most interested in buying or trading for one.
joe
I'm not aware of any cancer causing properties, but I guess coffee is linked now, why not. The base chemical is arsenic as mentioned by Wivin, and if burned you are disseminating it as the weapon intended. Arsenic is a cummulative poison, you may get a little sick today, but whatever the dose, it stays in your system and builds to your lifetime total.
I used to get bottles from a guy in Belgium, he finally told me he was not emptying any more, all his cats had died. Go figure. Guess he had no kitty masks.
Anybody ever seen the camel mask? Its in a document I picked up recently, Pete if you've got your copy handy you can put it up, otherwise I'll dig one out later. JO
I used to get bottles from a guy in Belgium, he finally told me he was not emptying any more, all his cats had died. Go figure. Guess he had no kitty masks.
Anybody ever seen the camel mask? Its in a document I picked up recently, Pete if you've got your copy handy you can put it up, otherwise I'll dig one out later. JO
Here it is...........
Arsenic is a heavy metal, and just as hard for the body to get rid of as lead, and is even more toxic. Sub-lethal doses will cause all sorts of nifty problems- cancer included.
Any traces of the stuff on/in the bottles might make them a bit more hazardous than you would want to be collecting.
Going to a trophy/awards shop (or make yourself if you have the tools/skills), and getting one of those sealable glass presentation cases, and put the bottle in it, with the usual info card somewhere nearby, might be a good way of containing whatever residue that may be left.
Your cats will certainly thank you for it.
Any traces of the stuff on/in the bottles might make them a bit more hazardous than you would want to be collecting.
Going to a trophy/awards shop (or make yourself if you have the tools/skills), and getting one of those sealable glass presentation cases, and put the bottle in it, with the usual info card somewhere nearby, might be a good way of containing whatever residue that may be left.
Your cats will certainly thank you for it.
Der_Feldgraue
Well-Known Member
Thats the same thing I have always in mind when touching (inert) HE shells. I think it is impossible to make them completely clean and empty. Usually you can still smell the filling, even when empty and this stuff (TNT, Nitrobenzene etc.) is toxic, including cancer, too. I am always glad when everything is closed with a fuze and the thread is greased well to make it absolutely airtight... 
It's the same with Lewisite, we had some glass bottles that previously contained lewisite, they were decontaminated and swab sampled to prove the absence of lewisite, but it was impossible to get rid of the smell.
Going back through some old posts and thought i'd add this picture of a pigeon respirator.
Pete
Pete