The Vajen Bader is a desirable mask in any collection.

The leather protective mask is lined in a protective wool layer along with mica lenses used as eye and ear shields— one would enter a burning building with this. The innovation was the air tank that provided a life line of  compressed air for a short time. This helmet has had real field use more than once (many notable areas on the mask). The leather is well worn and delicate in areas. There is noticeable soot on the wool liner that is present only in the bottom section as most has come off. The tank and helmet are an original pair and comes engraved with the owners name on the air tank. The tank is the rare larger model as some of these are half the size . Piece dates from 1900 and comes on a custom stand that supports the weight of the tank. In one of the picture sets I have unscrews the eye shields and you can see the mica is intact the the small wiper blades. The ear pieces are intact as well with the mica in place.

Despite the wear on this piece it has true working character which I have not seen.

Comes with custom steel stand as shown.