A pair of plastic and metal ear defenders used to protect against noise from the artillary

These are similar in style and although without a label are almost certainly Mallock-Armstrong ear plugs which were used in the army after 1914 They were intended to allow passage of sound by way of conversation whilst protect against damage to the ear apparatus by louder noises from gunfire and cannons. Probably a questionable claim. They were a relatively sophisticated affair with a membrane of brass mesh, but were later shown not to be any more effective than simple plastic plugs.

• From the Phisick collection