The Lederschutzmaske GM17 (circa 1917) was used in WWI at by both the German and Austrian-Hungarian armies. After both sides began to use chemical weapons, Germany developed a mask with protective capabilities. The material used was oiled sheep leather, which could be treated to neutralize the gases being used at the time. A small filter canister was fixed in the snout position, as was a small metal carrying canister. The celluloid eyepieces were reinforced with an additional metal frame on the inside similar to the French A.R.S. artillery model.

The French M2 gas mask was used from April 1916 until August 1918 and proved to be a very effective protection. In contrast to those used later in the war, the M2 did not have a special filter with fittings, but consisted of one piece of material, which completely covered the face. This piece of material served the same function as later filters and neutralized the effects of the poison gas.

Like most early WWI gas masks, the French M2 was made from several layers of absorbent fabric soaked in neutralizing chemicals. It was originally made with a single clear cellulose eyepiece, but later models featured two circular eyepieces.

The M2 was stored in a half-circle shaped pouch or sometimes in a rectangular metal tin. The M2 was manufactured in large quantities with approximately 29,300,000 masks produced between February 1916 and end of the war. It was issued in large numbers to American Doughboys as a back-up respirator.

The Polivalente was used by the Italian Army, from the end of 1916 to the end of 1917. During the Austro-German offensive at the battle of Isonzo, the Italian troops of the 87th Infantry suffered great casualties because despite being modeled after the French Army M2, the mask provided little or no protection against German poison gas.

The mask was composed of 64 impregnated layers of gauze and carried in tin or wooden cans, which bore the inscription “Chi si leva la maschera muore—tenetela sempre con voi!” (Who takes away the mask will die—hold it always with you).

One of the most noteworthy gas masks used during WWI was the British Small Box Respirator or SBR designed in 1916. It was probably the most reliable and heavily used gas mask of the war.

The mask was made of thinly rubberized canvas with a canvas-covered rubber hose connecting the mask to a canister, which was all contained in a square bag. The SBR worked by filtering dangerous gases through a canister of charcoal and gauze impregnated with neutralizing chemical agents.

The British small box respirator was first introduced to British soldiers in April 1916, a few months before the Battle of the Somme. By January 1917, it had become the standard issue gas mask for all British soldiers.

When the U.S entered the war in April 1917, they did not have a standard issue gas mask. After evaluating several masks being used by the Allies it was decided to adopt the British small box respirator. It was issued to the first American troops to arrive in France in 1917.