File talk:Various gas masks WWI.jpg

Visual ambiguity

I can't tell if the guy next to the guy in the lower right corner is wearing a gas mask or not...--24.6.155.52 (talk) 19:27, 9 January 2010 (UTC)

Agreed; most peculiar. Is he wearing a nasal implement, or some other form of mask not easily determined by the photograph? Can someone provide insight?

Christopher, Salem, OR (talk) 12:23, 30 October 2010 (UTC)

It appears that the subject in question (bottom row, second on the right), isn't wearing a mask, but instead displaying a beard and moustache. After taking another look at the photograph, I believe he is holding some sort of filter/mask over the lower section of his face, similar to holding a snorkel by one's mouth. The illusion of a beard and moustache was accidentally achieved by glare of light on the center of the mask, making it resemble the skin portions of his face.

Christopher, Salem, OR (talk) 12:33, 30 October 2010 (UTC)