| TYPE: US Army M2 Training Gas Mask |
| ALIASES: MI Training Mask (early nomenclature) |
| DATE: c. 1939 |
| FREQUENCY: Scarce |
| USAGE: United States |
| FUNCTION: Military/Civilian |
| LMàG REFERENCE CODE: US-020 |
| NOTES: The first US gas mask
to use a fully molded rubber face piece was the MI
Training Gas Mask. The face blank, later designated
the M2 face piece, went on to be the basis for most
WWII US gas masks to follow. The Training
Mask was equipped with a long filter canister, also
designated the MI, attached directly to the bottom
of the mask. Pictured to the right is the first model
of the Training mask which had the MIV "Acushnet" type
exhale valve instead of the later more widely used
MV "Connel" type exhale valve. The MI also did not
have rifle skids, as did later versions. This early
version is quite scarce, as it was not made in significant
enough numbers before it was replaced by the MIA1. |
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| PRICE: SOLD! |
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| TYPE: US Army M2A1 Training Gas Mask |
| ALIASES: MIA1 Training Mask (early nomenclature) |
| DATE: c. 1939 |
| FREQUENCY: Rare/Scarce |
| USAGE: United States |
| FUNCTION: Military/Civilian |
| LMàG REFERENCE CODE: US-021 |
| NOTES: Soon after the MI Training Gas Mask went into production, it was updated and renamed the MIA1 Training Gas Mask. This version of the Training mask used a new face piece mold which included "rifle skids", a feature designed to prevent the wearer's rifle from getting caught on the lower head harness rivets when aiming from the shoulder position. The MIA1 also did away with the early MIV "Acushnet" type exhale valve, replacing it with an updated MV "Connel" style valve. Early MIA1s were made of all black rubber, like the MI, but were later made from the more common greenish-gray rubber. |
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| PRICE: $360 |
| CONDITION: Mask is complete with filter and carrier and in very good condition. |
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| TYPE: US Army M2A1 Training Gas Mask |
| ALIASES: MIA1 Training Mask (early nomenclature) |
| DATE: c. 1939 |
| FREQUENCY: Rare/Scarce |
| USAGE: United States |
| FUNCTION: Military/Civilian |
| LMàG REFERENCE CODE: US-022 |
| NOTES: The MIA1 mask pictured
to the right is more or less the same as the version
above, however this one was manufactured by
Firestone, giving it a slightly different appearance
from the Acushnet versions pictured above. There
were several different companies making gas masks
for the US Army at the time, and early on there were
slightly different molds being used at varying factories.
In some cases, this posed a problem for manufactures
constructing standard hardware, head harnesses and
filter units for the early masks. Many issues such
as this came about during the early years of gas
mask experimentation, thus keeping gas mask evolution
on the move. |
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| PRICE: $340 |
| CONDITION: Mask is complete with filter and carrier and in very good condition. |
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|
| TYPE: US Army M2A1 Training Gas Mask |
| ALIASES: MIA1 Training Mask (early nomenclature) |
| DATE: c. 1939 |
| FREQUENCY: Uncommon/Rare |
| USAGE: United States |
| FUNCTION: Military/Civilian |
| LMàG REFERENCE CODE: US-023 |
| NOTES: This example of the
MIA1 was also made by Firestone, but it was molded
from greenish-gray colored rubber. The filter unit
was also painted gray instead of olive green. This
version of the Training Mask was manufactured in
large quantities, and was used extensively by
military personnel and civilians alike stationed
on islands in the Pacific. Around this time, the
US Chemical Warfare Service also redesigned their
nomenclature system, getting away entirely from
using Roman numerals. The designation for the Training
Mask was changed to M2 (and M2A1 respectively). |
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| PRICE: $105 |
| CONDITION: Mask is complete with filter and carrier and in very good condition. |
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|
| TYPE: US Army M2A1 Training Gas Mask |
| ALIASES: US Army M2A2 Training
Gas Mask |
| DATE: c.
1940s |
| FREQUENCY: Rare |
| USAGE: United States |
| FUNCTION: Military/Civilian |
| LMàG REFERENCE CODE: US-024 |
| NOTES: This version of the
Training Mask, also designated the M2A1, used
a M8 type exhale valve. It is possible that this
version was made from M2A2 Service Gas Masks. However
it is possible that these were manufactured from
the start as Training Gas Masks, but with updated
M8 exhale valves. These later versions do not seem
to be as common as the previous version with the
MV exhale valve. |
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| PRICE: $290 |
| CONDITION: Mask is complete with filter and carrier and in very good condition. |
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|
| TYPE: US Army M2A1 Service Gas Mask |
| ALIASES: n/a |
| DATE: c. 1939/1940
|
| FREQUENCY: Rare |
| USAGE: United States |
| FUNCTION: Military |
| LMàG REFERENCE CODE: US-025 |
| NOTES: The M2A1 Service Gas Mask used the same face piece and exhale valve setup as the M2A1 Training Gas Mask (above). However, a long rubber breathing tube with a MIXA1 filter canister attached was used instead of the MI training filter. The M2A1 Service Gas Mask is not quite as common as the later service masks making it somewhat difficult to find on the collector's market. |
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| PRICE: $175 |
| CONDITION: Mask is complete with filter and carrier and in very good condition. |
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|
|
| TYPE: US Army M2A2 Service
Gas Mask |
| ALIASES: n/a |
| DATE: c.
1939/1940 |
| FREQUENCY: Uncommon/Rare |
| USAGE: United States |
| FUNCTION: Military |
| LMàG REFERENCE CODE: US-026 |
| NOTES: A modification of
the the exhale valve of the M2A1 Service Gas Mask
resulted in the M2A2 Service Gas Mask. The masks
are identical otherwise. This mask is what would
ultimately be the basis for the later M3 and M4 series
service masks. The main problem with the M2 series
service was the lack of in internal nose cup to reduce
fogging and the heavyweight filter canister. Both
of these issues were addressed with the introduction
of the M3 and M4 series Lightweight Service Gas Masks.
The M2A2 was manufactured in large numbers and can
still be frequently found today in very good condition. |
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| PRICE: $165 |
| CONDITION: Mask is complete with filter and carrier and in very good condition. |
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|
| TYPE: US Army M2A2 Service Gas Mask |
| ALIASES: n/a |
| DATE: c. 1941 |
| FREQUENCY: Rare/Scarce |
| USAGE: United States |
| FUNCTION: Military |
| LMàG REFERENCE CODE: US-205 |
| NOTES: This variant of the M2A2 was manufactured by Goodyear and is basically the same as the above mask. This one however used a gray MIVA1 filter canister, which may be experimental. The mask's face piece appears to be an early type of black rubber, but not neoprene. This rare mask is most likely an experimental or prototype design made during the early years of WWII. |
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| PRICE: SOLD! |
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|
| TYPE: US Army M2A2 Special Oil Vapor Gas Mask |
| ALIASES: n/a |
| DATE: c.
1940s |
| FREQUENCY: Scarce |
| USAGE: United States |
| FUNCTION: Military |
| LMàG REFERENCE CODE: US-027 |
| NOTES: Sometime during the
1940s, the US Army manufactured several "Standardized
Special Gas Masks". Among these special gas masks
were the M2A2 Acid Vapor Gas Mask, the M2A2 Ammonia
Gas Mask, the M2A2 HCN Gas Mask and the M2A2 Oil
Vapor Gas Mask (at right). Each came equipped with
a specially labeled filter canister designed to protect
against a specific gas. For all practical purposes
the mask was identical to the M2A2 Service Gas Mask,
but had no rifle skids and a slightly different head
harness assembly (identical to the M3 series). This
is certainly one of the best examples of how confusing
early US nomenclature can be. These special gas masks
are quite scarce today as few were manufactured,
obviously due to a small demand. |
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| PRICE: SOLD! |
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|
| TYPE: US Army M3-10A1-6 Lightweight Service Gas Mask |
| ALIASES: n/a |
| DATE: c. 1944 |
| FREQUENCY: Uncommon/Rare |
| USAGE: United States |
| FUNCTION: Military |
| LMàG REFERENCE CODE: US-028 |
| NOTES: The Army M3-10A1-6
was a modification of the earlier M2A2 Service Gas
Mask. The mask was designed to be lighter, so a shorter
breathing tube was used with a lightweight M10A1
filter canister fixed to the end. An inner oronasal
cup was also incorporated to reduce fogging of the
eye pieces. The head harness was also riveted onto
the face piece differently, so as to not require
rifle skids. This factor makes the M3-10A1-6 easy
to distinguish from the other lightweight service
gas masks. The M3-10A1-6 was made in fairly significant
numbers but it is still somewhat difficult to find
today. |
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| PRICE: $140 |
| CONDITION: Mask is complete with filter and carrier and in very good condition. |
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|
| TYPE: US Army M3-10A1-6 Lightweight Service Gas Mask |
| ALIASES: n/a |
| DATE: c. 1944 |
| FREQUENCY: Uncommon/Rare |
| USAGE: United States |
| FUNCTION: Military |
| LMàG REFERENCE CODE: US-029 |
| NOTES: More commonly found is the black neoprene rubber M3-10A1-6 Lightweight Service Gas Mask. Because of natural rubber shortages, an alternative synthetic rubber was in need, and thus Neoprene was used. While Neoprene met most of the demands required to construct a protective mask, the synthetic rubber was found to have a problem when exposed to colder weather. The face piece would get stiff and difficult to don, a condition known as "cold-set". This problem led to the eventual elimination of Neoprene rubber gas masks. However, it is the M3-10A1-6 Lightweight Service Gas Mask which was converted post production into the the well known M5-11-7 Assault Gas Mask. |
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| PRICE: $145 |
| CONDITION: Mask is complete with filter and carrier and in very good condition. |
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|
TYPE: US Army M3-10A1-6 Lightweight Service Gas Mask
TYPE: (L - Large Sized Version) |
| ALIASES: n/a |
| DATE: c. 1944 |
| FREQUENCY: Scarce |
| USAGE: United States |
| FUNCTION: Military |
| LMàG REFERENCE CODE: US-030 |
| NOTES: The version of the M3-10A1-6 Lightweight Service Gas Mask pictured to the right is a rare size large mask. The standard was to produce service masks in one universal size (marked with a large letter 'U' on the forehead). There was however a need to accommodate a smaller number of otherwise abnormally large or small head sizes, thus small numbers of these large sized masks were produced with a large letter 'L' on the forehead. It should also be noted that a 'SS' or 'Super Small' version of some service masks were produced during the late war years as well (see below). |
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| PRICE: $220 |
| CONDITION: Mask is complete with filter and hose, no carrier. Very rare large size. |
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|
| TYPE: US Army M3A1-10A1-6 Lightweight Gas Mask |
| ALIASES: n/a |
| DATE: c. 1944
|
| FREQUENCY: Uncommon/Rare |
| USAGE: United States |
| FUNCTION: Military |
| LMàG REFERENCE CODE: US-031 |
| NOTES: The Army M3A1-10A1-6 is identical to the M3-10A1-6 but used a C15 exhale valve as opposed to the more common M8 exhale valve. The same carrier, filter, inner oronasal cup and face blank was used. For some reason the M3A1 seems to be slightly more common than the earlier M3, but for the most part these masks are becoming harder to find. |
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| PRICE: $110 |
| CONDITION: Mask is complete with filter and carrier and in very good condition. |
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|
| TYPE: US Army M4-10A1-6 Lightweight Service Gas Mask |
| ALIASES: n/a |
| DATE: c. 1944
|
| FREQUENCY: Uncommon |
| USAGE: United States |
| FUNCTION: Military |
| LMàG REFERENCE CODE: US-032 |
| NOTES: Another modification
to the M2A2 Service Gas Mask yielded the M4-10A1-6
Lightweight Service Gas Mask. These masks were typically
made with an olive drab rubber face piece and breathing
tube, but occasionally Neoprene breathing tubes were
fitted. It must also be noted that these masks are
commonly found with different colors of paint, elastic
and plastic dye, as several different manufacturers
were constructing the masks towards the end of the
war. Notice the rifle skid moldings and the same
head harness rivet placement as the M2A2. The only
difference between the M4 and the later M4A1 was
that the M4 used a M8 exhale valve and the M4A1 used
a C15 exhale valve. Both the M4 and M4A1 seem to
be much more common than the M3 series lightweight
service gas masks. |
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| PRICE: $125 |
| CONDITION: Mask is complete with filter and carrier and in very good condition. |
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|
|
| TYPE: US Army M4-10A1-6 Lightweight Service Gas Mask |
| ALIASES: n/a |
| DATE: c. 1944
|
| FREQUENCY: Uncommon |
| USAGE: United States |
| FUNCTION: Military |
| LMàG REFERENCE CODE: US-033 |
| NOTES: This M4-10A1-6 Lightweight
Service Gas Mask is pictured to demonstrate the variation
in colors commonly found with these masks. The example
pictured to the right was made by Firestone Tire & Rubber
Company, whereas the above example is was made by
General Tire & Rubber Company. It must also be
noted that some M4s lack an inner nose cup, possibly
due to rubber shortages. |
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| PRICE: $100 |
| CONDITION: Mask is complete with filter and carrier and in very good condition. |
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|
|
TYPE: US Army M4-10A1-6 Lightweight Service Gas Mask
TYPE: (SS - Super Small Version) |
| ALIASES: n/a |
| DATE: c
. 1944 |
| FREQUENCY: Uncommon/Rare |
| USAGE: United States |
| FUNCTION: Military |
| LMàG REFERENCE CODE: US-034 |
| NOTES: Another interesting variation of the M4-10A1-6 Lightweight Service Gas Mask is the 'SS' version (super small version). Typically, the M4 was issued in one universal face piece size (marked with a large letter 'U' on the forehead) making the super small version (marked with the letters 'SS' on the forehead) somewhat rare. There are several other notable differences as well. Because of the smaller size, the mask was not manufactured with an inner oronasal nose cup, and the head harness pad was also left out. These differences, could only be due to the smaller face piece assembly. |
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| PRICE: $85 |
| CONDITION: Mask is complete with filter and hose, missing carrier. |
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|
|
| TYPE: US Army M4A1-10A1-6 Lightweight Gas Mask |
| ALIASES: n/a |
| DATE: c. 1944
|
| FREQUENCY: Uncommon |
| USAGE: United States |
| FUNCTION: Military |
| LMàG REFERENCE CODE: US-035 |
| NOTES: A few slight modifications
to the M4-10A1-6 Lightweight Service Gas Mask yielded
the M4A1-10A1-6 Lightweight Service Gas Mask. These
masks were typically made with an olive drab rubber
face piece and breathing tube, but occasionally Neoprene
breathing tubes were fitted. Notice the rifle skid
moldings and the same head harness rivet placement
as the M4. The main difference between the M4 and
the M4A1 was the exhale valve. |
| |
| PRICE: $110 |
| CONDITION: Mask is complete with filter and hose, missing carrier. Some slight discoloration of rubber. |
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|
|
| TYPE: US Army M5-11-7 Assault Gas Mask |
| ALIASES: Combat Service Gas Mask, Invasion Gas Mask |
| DATE: c. 1944
|
| FREQUENCY: Uncommon |
| USAGE: United States |
| FUNCTION: Military |
| LMàG REFERENCE CODE: US-036 |
| NOTES: The US Army Assault
Gas Mask is quite possibly the most sought after
WWII US gas mask due to the fact that it is this
mask that was carried during the D-day Invasion of
Normandy. The M5-11-7 was originally inspired by
the British MK. I Light Anti-Gas Respirator and was
intended to be a light weight mask that soldiers
could carry during amphibious assaults. Thus, the
mask was issued with a carrier made of a waterproof
rubberized duck material which doubled as a floatation
device when in use. The M5-11-7 was quickly phased
out when it was discovered that the neoprene face
piece was subject to a hardening known as "cold-set".
While the M5-11-7 always brings a high price on the
surplus/collector's market, it is still quite common
and can be found in mint, un-issued condition. |
| |
| PRICE: SOLD! |
|
|
| TYPE: US Army M8 Snout-Type Gas Mask |
| ALIASES: n/a |
| DATE: c. 1944 |
| FREQUENCY: Rare |
| USAGE: United States |
| FUNCTION: Military |
| LMàG REFERENCE CODE: US-037 |
| NOTES: The Army M8 Snout
Type gas mask is quite interesting in that is was
constructed from un-issued M4A1 Lightweight Service
Gas Masks as a quick replacement for the M5 Assault
Gas Mask after it was found to have problems with "cold-set".
A 60mm filter inlet was mounted to the chin of the
face piece to allow the use of the standard M11 drum
type canister. Because this mask was needed toward
the end of WWII, few were manufactured Thus, it
is somewhat difficult to find today. |
| |
| PRICE: $185 |
| CONDITION: Mask is complete with filter and carrier and in very good condition. |
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