Posted: 4/28/2003 7:16:53 PM EDT
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I am trying to find out more info concerning some gas masks found in the basement at my PD. I was told they are surplus masks, and appear to be so. The masks are black rubber, and each comes in a green army colored canvas bag/pouch; the bags look like they have been around a while. The only markings I see on the masks are "US" on top, near the forehead. Under the "US" is the letter "M". On the right cheek area is "A32-7". On the left cheek area is a 1" circle. Within this circle are the following markings: 8:3, MSA, and 2E27. There are two circles(2" diametet)located near the jaw line(one circle left side, one circle right side), which appear to be fabric. Possibly a filter? Located near the mouth area is a complicated system. First there appears to be a main inlet area, about 2.5"-3" in diameter, which may be more in the nose area. I took the rubber cover off and the markings are: T 11 (or II) 83 and MSA -2-24. These marking are located on a small rubber flap circle, about 1" in diameter. There is a tube which runs from inside the mask to the outside, and is snapped in place on the outsdie of the mask. There is a small knob on the outside of the mask. When turned, the tube on the inside of the mask moves down to my mouth area and touches my lips. Is this tube for a hydration pack or for hook up to a respirator? This mask is not the large one piece lens seen on some masks. This mask has the two individual lenses. I assume the MSA markings on this mask are from the MSA gas mask company? Yes or No? Could I call them and ask them fro ID on this mask? Can anyone tell me anything about these? Protection rating? How old are they? Anything would be helpfull. THANKS! |
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Very similar if not identical setup. The one pictured though is green, ours are black. Also the one pictured looks like it is baggy (almost like a hood) and goes down longer and has a draw string. The ones I found have 6 attachment points on the mask which are connected via elastic webbing to a 2.5"x4" thick pad on the rear. Ours just hug the jaw line is is thick black rubber with not draw string. Any more ideas???? |
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I believe the ones you have are the same mask. The one pictured has the optional NBC hood installed. Underneath the hood, the mask is black rubber with a 6-point elastic head harness. Much like this: [img]http://www.geocities.com/deejay_uk_2000/images/thumbnails/gas010_small.jpg[/img] |
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Yep, sounds like good old military surplus stuff through the 1033 Program. There is good news and bad news. These masks are somewhat useful for riot control agents, barricades where non-lethal gas is used and for some WMD incidents (heck, they were designed for chemical warfare). They won't be compatible with most modern WMD gear, though. You can't get surplus masks from the government anymore, mainly because of liability reasons. You can get filters. Your agency is also accountable for these masks; you have to give them back to the DRMO system for destruction when you are done with them, or transfer them to another LE agency that is eligible for gear through the 1033 Program. You can get the exact provenance of your masks (and how many you are accountable for) by contacting your state coordinator. You can find a listing at [url]http://www.dla.mil/j-3/leso/Section1033/STATE_COOR.htm[/url] |
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Garand Shooter, My thought exactly. I was kind of "issued" one of these mask a few months ago from a supervisor, as well as 3-4 other Officers. I was just doing my own research for when I return my mask and tell my supervisor I want a real one because this one is NOT OSHA compliant/nor approved. Great news though, thanks! I was also just researching the masks a bit for when I present some info to three supervisors concerning our tac. team equipment needs. I wanted to include new $250 MSA masks, and now I believe I had fully justified it. Is there anyway of finding out how old these masks are? Or, does anyone on the list know how old they might be? I don't even know how long out department has had them sitting in the PDs basement for. THANKS AGAIN! |
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[img]http://img.galls.com/images/products/TE200AC.jpg[/img] Something like this? the one pictured is the new Millenium Gas mask by MSA. Sells at [url=www.galls.com]Galls[/url] for $319.99. Millenium™ Gas Mask This CBA (Chemical/Biological Agent) gas mask is flexible, one-piece polyurethane lens with a wide field of vision, bonded to a durable Hycar rubber facepiece. Easy weapon sighting from either shoulder. Drinking tube permits fluid intake in contaminated environment. Canisters fill on either side. Black. I was issued one earlier this year, but in a drop leg pouch made by Blackhawk. [img]http://www.blackhawkindustries.com/uploads/product_images/56GM00BK.jpg[/img][img]http://www.blackhawkindustries.com/uploads/product_images/56GM00BK_1.jpg[/img] Edited to add: Mine also came with a clear plastic lens cover, I doubt it has any balistic protection, but it's definitely more sturdy than just the plastic of the mask. |
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Federal OSHA standards require all public safety agencies that respond to HazMat events to issue OSHA-compliant HazMat gear to their first responders. This includes LE. It is why we were able to retire our surplus M17 (and older) masks, which we were only using for riot control agents, anyway. You can probably get out of paying money for newer compliant masks. The last big Homeland Security grant was mostly for equipment. Find out who is administering the grant for your state and contact them. Most states, including mine, decided to adminster the grant by giving out gear, including HazMat stuff. Almost all agencies in our state are eligible for some kind of gear, though the smaller agencies are probably only going to get disposable suits and rescue hoods. We are probably getting more advanced suits and a few sets of SCBA, based on our size, capabilities and response level. Don't pay when you can get the stuff for free. As to carriers, you can get mask carriers free from the military without any trouble at all, and save yourself lots of money as opposed to buying the Blackhawk kind for $50 a pop. |