US Army Model 142 insecticide duster for delousing concentration camp survivors and soldiers

Identifier
irn514808
Language of Description
English
Alt. Identifiers
  • 2004.53.1
Dates
1 Jan 1944 - 31 Dec 1944
Level of Description
Item
Languages
  • English
Source
EHRI Partner

Extent and Medium

overall: Height: 14.000 inches (35.56 cm) | Width: 4.375 inches (11.113 cm) | Depth: 3.250 inches (8.255 cm)

Creator(s)

Archival History

The insecticide duster was donated to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in 2004 by Kenneth H. Posey, ex officio, for the United States Department of Agriculture ARS Medical and Veterinary Entomology Research Lab.

Acquisition

United States Holocaust Memorial Museum Collection, Gift of the United States Department of Agriculture ARS Medical and Veterinary Entomology Research Lab

Funding Note: The cataloging of this artifact has been supported by a grant from the Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany.

Scope and Content

United States Army issued handheld insecticide dusting gun, Model 142, of the type used by US troops to delouse concentration camp survivors after liberation in 1945. The standard issued material used by the US Army for louse control was 10% DDT powder. Louse powder was placed in the canister and released through a pressurized hose. Air passes through the canister and the air tube tip when the control is pushed down. The powder was blown between the underwear and the skin, down the neck of the shirt, up the sleeves and into the trousers in as many directions as possible.

Conditions Governing Access

No restrictions on access

Conditions Governing Reproduction

No restrictions on use

Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements

Green painted, silver colored, metal canister with a vertical seam and circular screw top lid. Attached to the lid top is a flat, metal bar with arched ends. Attached to the lid interior is a curved, semi-oval perforated metal filter. A tubelike spray nozzle is soldered to the top of the canister and extends over the lid. At the flat end of the canister is a cylindrical handle with a flat triangular base. An air tube extends from the canister and inserts into an opening near the upper edge of the handle base. It has a pointed tip to release air. There is a rod with a metal spring and circular end button which, when pressed down, releases air into the attached metal air tube that extends through a hole on the lower edge of the handle. The canister has paint loss, scratches, corrosion and adhesive residue from previously attached labels. It is missing the pressurized hose attachment.

Subjects

Genre

This description is derived directly from structured data provided to EHRI by a partner institution. This collection holding institution considers this description as an accurate reflection of the archival holdings to which it refers at the moment of data transfer.