What is this Gas Mask?
 

I found it and can't find anything on the internet to what kind and make it is or when it is from though i guess ww2 time frame.

http://img472.imageshack.us/img472/9205/front7dk.jpg

Looks German to me, I had something very similar to this mask. Found leftovers of a mask and carrying cylinder loooong time ago. I think it's called M and than numbers.
Is there any markings on the inside? I remember mine had 3 or 4 letters on the inside.

On the inside there is what looks like a stamp. I can not make out what it says, only a few of the letters the stamp is kind of smudged or faded.

http://img266.imageshack.us/img266/5809/stamp6lk.jpg

On the outside of the mask there are some letters and a symbole of some sort.

http://img266.imageshack.us/img266/2...ttering3uy.jpg

I've done a search of just about evey combiniation of thoses letters on google, nothing came up. Looked though ebay as well at gas masks and found a few that were "similar" but not the same. I'm pretty sure that it's WW2 or a few years after and German or maybe dutch.

But thats just going on ones that have been similar.

It's most likley German or Russian. If there are any marking's on it that say zivleschultz or something similar to that then it is german. Dont know about it being WW2 though, it looks pretty new. Usually a gas mask deteriates after 20 years.

Erik

I’m pretty sure it’s not Russian. The letters and numbers that are on it are Latin script, not what ever you call the Russian alphabet, crilic or something.

As for the age, again I have completely no clue. I would guess that it is over 20 years just from the fact I found it in my grandmas attic (really the barn where she keeps everything) and the place it was found was with other stuff over 20 years old, and she has not really put anything in there or moved anything in at least 15 years.

I just guessed WW2 as it looked like many ones from WW2, might be early cold war or really any time period, I have absolutely no clue.

Erik_james, never seen WW2 Russian mask that didn't have a hose on it. All WW2/cold war era masks I've seen looked like elefant heads :)

It all depends how and where it's been stored. People still dig up things like mag pouches, leather boots, map carriers with actual leftovers of paper maps in them from the ground. I never thought those things could survive over 60 years in the ground, but I guess they can.

Yeah your probably right, Russians wernt that advanced back then. Its really hard to say what time period it is actually from. I'm guessing the 17 05 53 is most likely the manufacture date (even though the numbers arnt in a straight line across from each other, that would still be a valid date.)

But I really cant give you a definate answer.

Erik

Yea, I don’t think it’s the manufacture date as it’s split up, and the K-53 I’m pretty sure stands for something else.

I put a message into a “Gas Mask collectors club” I found on the web, they seem to know what they are talking about so hopefully one of them will be able to solve this mystery.

There is a mask called K53, but I couldn't find any pic of it.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/gasmas...lub/message/30

That’s kind of funny there’s a Gas Mask collectors club...Well I guess there could be worse hobby's out there. Doesnt sound like something that would interest me. But hopefully they can help you out. Dont forget to post up any info you get, as i'd like to know what kind of mask that is too.

I'll take a guess and say its German, used for training by German NATO troops durning the late 50's early 60's (if that makes any sence) I dont know much about nato or when germany joined, but whatever its just a guess.

Erik

Yea I found that website as well, the “K53” they speak of there is refer to as a “Dutch” gas mask. How ever the only reference I could find on the entire internet to a K-53 mask is on that site, so I’m not sure if it’s the same one.

I posted a message on that group board, I bet if anyone is going to know what this is it would be someone subscribing there so hopefully in a week or so I’ll get some responses there.

Lol, yea me either, but true there is defiently worse things. They are likely into all stuff military which alot of people are.

Yeah it's a Dutch K53

here, this guy's got a nice collection, with hires-ish pics. Great reference. Scroll down to U01 (first column)

http://gasmask.idisk.cz/program/zobr...a.php?region=0