Gas alarm rattle used by sentries to signal a gas attack. Rattle is of wood with metal screws and side plates on rattle. Handle octagonal with metal pin through ratchet element. The rattle is spun by holding in the air and swinging the handle in a circular motion to cause the arm piece to spin thus clacking the ratchet. The rattle was issued circa 1916 following the first chlorine gas attack of the war at Ypres on 22 – 24 April 1915.

Arm piece 11″ x 1 1/2″ x 1/2′; handle 4″ x 2″