Swiss Government Civil Defense Gas Mask Shoulder Bag, dates back to the Cold War, new unissued
During the years 1937 to 1945, the Swiss Government expanded its Civil Defense shelter system to safely protect all its citizens. This herculean effort was undertaken because the government was concerned that if Germany won the War, Hitler might attack Switzerland despite its declared neutrality. Following the surrender of Germany and the end of World War II in Europe, the Swiss maintained its shelter system throughout the late 1960s as the nuclear threat between the United States and the Soviet Union escalated. These beautifully constructed 'salt and pepper' shoulder bags are an incredible relic of the Cold War. Ours are original Swiss Government issue and date back to the 1960s as a vital component of that country's extensive Civil Defense system. They were designed to be issued to every Swiss citizen in the event of an armed conflict to carry a gas mask and canister. Fortunately, a conflict never occurred, and these bags were never used. Each bag is brand new and stamped with the S