Military AccessoriesMilitary Accessoriesfor for

Russian MotorcyclesRussian MotorcyclesPart XII: Gas Masks Part XII: Gas Masks

and Canistersand CanistersErnie Ernie FrankeFranke

eafranke@tampabay.rr.comeafranke@tampabay.rr.com03/201103/2011

Pricing & Availability of WWPricing & Availability of WW--II Gas Masks / CanistersII Gas Masks / Canisters• Inventor of the First Effective Coal Gas Mask Was Russian Scientist Nikolay Dimitrievich Zelinskiy in WW-I (in 1915) against German Gas Attacks–In 1916 His Gas Masks Were Accepted by the Triple Entente–Zelinskiy Gas Mask Are the Most Popular in the World

•Most Gas Mask / Canisters on Internet Are German•Original Gas Mask Outfits Are Expensive–Original WW-II Containers go for $50 to $150, in Reasonable Condition–Combination Original Mask/Containers Go for $150 to $250

•Repros (reproductions) Go for Much Less–Repro WW-II Containers Go for $60 to $120, in New Condition–Repro Canister Is All That You Really Need, Unless You Have a WW-II Vintage Bike

•Soldiers Used to Throw Away the Masks and Use the Canisters for Personal Items•Limit Our Search to Canister Contained German/Russian Gas Masks•Fits Military Versions of Ural / Dnepr / BMW / ZUND•Prices Given in Year 2011 United States Dollars (USD)• Internet Contains Numerous Original and Replica Items

We will examine the mounting of the gas mask, the combinationWe will examine the mounting of the gas mask, the combinationgas mask and canister, the canister alone, the filters. We willgas mask and canister, the canister alone, the filters. We will

also dwell on the WWalso dwell on the WW--II canister reproductions.II canister reproductions.

Safety of Old Gas Masks Safety of Old Gas Masks ((wikipediawikipedia.org).org)•Many Scare Stories Have Originated from Various Russian Gas Masks and Their Filters•World War-II (WW-II) Gas Masks Contained Blue Asbestos in Their Filters–This Material Continued to Be Used until at Least 1956–Breathing Blue Asbestos in Factories Resulted In:•Death from Mesothelioma of 10% of Workers•Between 2.5 and 3.2 Times Normal Incidence of Lung or Respiratory Cancers

•Old Gas Masks Can Be Dangerous to Your Health–May Contain Asbestos, Chromium 5, Mold, Fungus and Possibly Residual Agents Left Over from Tests or Training–Masks Are of Historical Value Only–Not for Halloween

Caution: Never wear any gas mask of uncertain military origin.

Canister Attachment to MotorcycleCanister Attachment to Motorcycle (www.ww2talk.com)(www.ww2talk.com)

German Sleeping soldier on German Sleeping soldier on BMW R75 in RussiaBMW R75 in Russia

Sleeping soldiers on BMW with Sleeping soldiers on BMW with Sidecar, North Africa, 1941Sidecar, North Africa, 1941

Most gas mask canisters were simply latched to existing Most gas mask canisters were simply latched to existing loops or projections of the sidecar or frontloops or projections of the sidecar or front--fender.fender.

Early BMW R71 (pnwriders.com)

German BMW RGerman BMW R--7171

Some folks mount them in the rear, instead of the firstSome folks mount them in the rear, instead of the first--aid kit.aid kit.

German BMW R12 with SidecarGerman BMW R12 with Sidecar

Most gas mask canisters were simply latched to existing Most gas mask canisters were simply latched to existing loops or projections of the sidecar or frontloops or projections of the sidecar or front--fender.fender.

2006 Ural Gear2006 Ural Gear--Up Up ((sovietsteedssovietsteeds.com).com)

Most gas mask canisters were simply latched Most gas mask canisters were simply latched to the luggage rack.to the luggage rack.

Ready for War Ready for War ((sovietsteedssovietsteeds.com).com)

The gas mask canister may just contain other valuables.The gas mask canister may just contain other valuables.

Overall Dimensions are 13" x 5 1/2" Overall Dimensions are 13" x 5 1/2" for the Firstfor the First--Aid Kit Aid Kit ((sovietsteedssovietsteeds.com).com)

The gas mask canister can b turned into a firstThe gas mask canister can b turned into a first--aid container.aid container.

Gas Mask Canister Mounted on Front Fork Gas Mask Canister Mounted on Front Fork ((sovietsteedssovietsteeds.com).com)

The canister may be strapped to the front fork or to the rear luggage rack.

DKW NZ 350DKW NZ 350--1 Gas Mask Holder, Mounted on Tank1 Gas Mask Holder, Mounted on Tank(www.(www.oldtimergarageoldtimergarage..sznszn.pl.pl))

• Item: 001.351•Price: €45.37

Old Timer Garage offers a bracket to mount a canister on the gas tank.

Most Canisters Are Worn OverMost Canisters Are Worn Over--thethe--ShoulderShoulder (www.ww2talk.com)(www.ww2talk.com)

Possibly a K500 Possibly a K500 ZundappZundapp, , Poland, 1939Poland, 1939

German Motorcycle Unit and German Motorcycle Unit and Russian TRussian T--26 Tank, 193926 Tank, 1939

Most gas mask canisters were thrown over the neck or shoulder.Most gas mask canisters were thrown over the neck or shoulder.

Method of Wearing the Gas Mask CaseMethod of Wearing the Gas Mask Case (www.mp44.(www.mp44.nlnl))

The gasmask case has a webbed shoulder strap attached to two metal eyes near the lid. The adjustable strap forms a loop which

goes over the left shoulder. The short webbed strap with hook attaches to the metal eye at bottom of the case, and

is secured to the belt so that the case almost hangs horizontal.

Original WWOriginal WW--II German Gas Mask and CanisterII German Gas Mask and Canister ((cgicgi..ebayebay.com).com)

Most recover gas mask kits contain corrosion on the canister andMost recover gas mask kits contain corrosion on the canister and filter,filter,and dryand dry--rot on the rubber and leather.rot on the rubber and leather.

Original WWOriginal WW--II German Gas Mask with CanisterII German Gas Mask with Canister((cgicgi.ebay.com.ebay.com))

CanisterCanister

Gas MaskGas Mask

FilterFilterPrice: $350 USD(www.ioffer.com)

Model M 30 (1937) Model M 30 (1937) made of rubberized clothmade of rubberized cloth

Price: Price: $1,200 USD$1,200 USDModel M 38 Model M 38

made entirely of rubbermade entirely of rubberPrice: $360 USD

Some combination Some combination ““gas mask and canistersgas mask and canisters”” are are way overway over--priced.priced.

Original WWOriginal WW--II German Gas Mask with CanisterII German Gas Mask with Canister ((cgicgi..ebayebay.com).com)

Blue painted parts indicate the use of iron. These gas masks werBlue painted parts indicate the use of iron. These gas masks were used e used by troops without sensitive magnetic compasses.by troops without sensitive magnetic compasses.

Original WWOriginal WW--II German Gas Mask M30 II German Gas Mask M30 ((luftschutzmannerluftschutzmanner.tripod.com).tripod.com)

German WW-II items were destroyed at on a large scale after the warby all participating countries.

Original WWOriginal WW--II M30 German Gas Mask, II M30 German Gas Mask, Canister and Reserve Lenses Canister and Reserve Lenses ((cgicgi.ebay.com.ebay.com))

Mint condition gas mask kits will always draw top dollar.Mint condition gas mask kits will always draw top dollar.

Original WWOriginal WW--II German II German LuftwaffeLuftwaffe Gas Mask Gas Mask with Canister, 1936with Canister, 1936 ((cgicgi..ebayebay.com).com)

Excellent condition gas mask kits will also draw top dollar.Excellent condition gas mask kits will also draw top dollar.

Original WWOriginal WW--II Bulgarian Gas Mask with CanisterII Bulgarian Gas Mask with Canister ((cgicgi..ebayebay.com).com)

The Bulgarian gas maskThe Bulgarian gas mask canister lacks the canister lacks the ““garbage cangarbage can”” ridges ridges of the German canisters.of the German canisters.

••Year: 1939Year: 1939••Condition: MintCondition: Mint••Price: $220 USDPrice: $220 USD

Original WWOriginal WW--II French Gas Mask with CanisterII French Gas Mask with Canister ((cgicgi..ebayebay.co..co.ukuk))

1938

1939Canvas Gas Mask and Case

Price: £30.00

French canisters lack the French canisters lack the ““garbage cangarbage can”” ridges of the German canister.ridges of the German canister.

Original WWOriginal WW--II German AntiII German Anti--Aircraft Defense Forces Aircraft Defense Forces Gas MaskGas Mask ((cgicgi.ebay.com.ebay.com))••19431943

••Price: $150 USDPrice: $150 USD

Excellent condition gas mask kits will also draw top dollar.Excellent condition gas mask kits will also draw top dollar.

Original WWOriginal WW--II German Gas Mask and CanisterII German Gas Mask and Canister

1941 Wehrmacht Gas Mask and Tin (cgi.ebay.co.uk)

M30 Gas Mask with Filter and Canister

(www.shopwiki.com)

Sometimes the canister is painted to agree with the vehicle.Sometimes the canister is painted to agree with the vehicle.

Original WWOriginal WW--II German M30 Gas Mask and CanisterII German M30 Gas Mask and Canister

(www.(www.bellsaviationbellsaviation.com) .com) $165$165(www.(www.bellsaviationbellsaviation.com.com) )

$150$150

The designation M30 or M38 refers to the mask itself, The designation M30 or M38 refers to the mask itself, and not to the cases.and not to the cases.

Original WWOriginal WW--II German M38 Gas Mask and CanisterII German M38 Gas Mask and Canister((cgicgi.ebay.com.ebay.com))

The spare lens covers are often mistaken for spare filters.The spare lens covers are often mistaken for spare filters.

••Condition: Used Condition: Used ••Price: $170 USDPrice: $170 USD

WWWW--II Original German Gas Mask and CanisterII Original German Gas Mask and Canister ((cgicgi..ebayebay.com).com)

Protected from the environment, the inside and contents Protected from the environment, the inside and contents of the canister remained preserved.of the canister remained preserved.

German Gas Mask CanistersGerman Gas Mask Canisters (www.mp44.(www.mp44.nlnl))

•Left-to-Right:–Early Reichswehr model case (1930-1935)–Early Wehrmacht model case (1935-1936)–Short Wehrmacht model case (1936-1938)–Long Wehrmacht model case (1938-1945)–Long Wehrmacht model case variation (1942-1945)

Gas masks were carried in cylindrical corrugated metal cans Gas masks were carried in cylindrical corrugated metal cans with hinged covers. Early cans were 25 cm tall, but in 1941 with hinged covers. Early cans were 25 cm tall, but in 1941

the height was increased to 27.5 cm. Each mask comes with its the height was increased to 27.5 cm. Each mask comes with its detachable filter and both are stored in the canister.detachable filter and both are stored in the canister.

ReichswehrReichswehr // WehrmachtWehrmacht Model CanistersModel Canisters (www.mp44.(www.mp44.nlnl))

Opened spare glass Opened spare glass compartment shows compartment shows

package of spare package of spare glassesglasses

•• Early Early Reichswehr Reichswehr •• 1930 1930 –– 19351935•• Height: ~ 26 cmHeight: ~ 26 cm•• Diameter: ~ 12 cmDiameter: ~ 12 cm

Opened compartment Opened compartment shows spare lenses, shows spare lenses,

packed in paper and held in packed in paper and held in place by a springplace by a spring

•• Early Early ReichswehrReichswehr•• 1935 1935 -- 19361936•• Height: ~ 25 cmHeight: ~ 25 cm•• Diameter: ~ 12 cmDiameter: ~ 12 cm

•• Short Short WehrmachtWehrmacht•• 1936 1936 –– 19381938•• Height: ~ 25 cmHeight: ~ 25 cm•• Diameter: ~ 12 cmDiameter: ~ 12 cm

•• Long Long WehrmachtWehrmacht•• 1938 1938 -- 19451945•• Height: ~ 25 cmHeight: ~ 25 cm•• Diameter: ~ 12 cmDiameter: ~ 12 cm

Opened compartment shows Opened compartment shows spare glasses (normally two spare glasses (normally two

pairs, but after 1942, four pair pairs, but after 1942, four pair of spare glasses were issued)of spare glasses were issued)

The LongThe Long WehrmachtWehrmacht canister was introduced in 1938, canister was introduced in 1938, probably because of the stiffer model M38 gas mask, which was probably because of the stiffer model M38 gas mask, which was

entirely made of rubber.entirely made of rubber.

Original WWOriginal WW--II German Gas Mask Tin CanisterII German Gas Mask Tin Canister ((cgicgi.ebay.com.ebay.com))•Dimensions:–Height: About 28 cm–Width: About 13 cm Diameter

•Price: $150 USD

The canister held the gas mask, filter, and spare lenses.The canister held the gas mask, filter, and spare lenses.

•Price: $155 USDOriginal WWOriginal WW--II German Gas Mask Tin CanisterII German Gas Mask Tin Canister ((cgicgi.ebay.com.ebay.com))

If you look around, you might find a canister in decent conditioIf you look around, you might find a canister in decent condition n at a reasonable priceat a reasonable price

Original WWOriginal WW--II German Gas Mask CanisterII German Gas Mask Canister ((cgicgi.ebay.com.ebay.com))

•Price: $53$53

Quite often the canister comes without leather straps, Quite often the canister comes without leather straps, which have rotted away over the last seventy years.which have rotted away over the last seventy years.

Original WWOriginal WW--II German Gas Mask CanistersII German Gas Mask CanistersPrice: $55 USD(cgi.ebay.com) Price: $51 USDPrice: $51 USD

((gasmaskedlestatgasmaskedlestat.com).com)cgicgi..ebayebay.co..co.ukuk

M38 Gas mask case, 1942(cgi.ebay.co.uk)

If you look around, you might find a canister in decent conditioIf you look around, you might find a canister in decent condition n at a reasonable priceat a reasonable price

Original WWOriginal WW--II German Gas Mask Tin CanisterII German Gas Mask Tin Canister ((cgicgi..ebayebay.com.com))

••Price: $149 USDPrice: $149 USD

Restoration requires sandRestoration requires sand--blasting, priming and spray painting.blasting, priming and spray painting.

Replica of WWReplica of WW--II German Gas Mask Canister II German Gas Mask Canister ((cgicgi..ebayebay.com.com))

Replicas really look great, at a fraction of the cost.Replicas really look great, at a fraction of the cost.

Replica of WWReplica of WW--II German Gas Mask Canister II German Gas Mask Canister ((cgicgi..ebayebay.com.com))

Replicas really look great, at a fraction of the cost.Replicas really look great, at a fraction of the cost.

USD•Color: Dark Green•Price: $72

Replica of WWReplica of WW--II German Gas Mask CanisterII German Gas Mask Canister

•Color: Army Green•Price: $60 USD

(cgi.ebay.com)

•Color: Dark Green •Product Code: SKU178E•Price: £57.95

(www.epicmilitaria.com)

Replicas really look great, at a fraction of the cost.Replicas really look great, at a fraction of the cost.

Replica of WWReplica of WW--II German Gas Mask Canister II German Gas Mask Canister ((cgicgi..ebayebay.com.com))

The pouch is used to store a The pouch is used to store a ““gas cape.gas cape.””

•Color: Sand Yellow •Price: $60 USD

Basically there are two type of masks; the M30 and M38.Basically there are two type of masks; the M30 and M38. The M30 The M30 was made of rubberized cloth with a frame of soft leather, whilewas made of rubberized cloth with a frame of soft leather, while the M38 the M38 was made entirely of rubber. Also the straps and eye pieces are was made entirely of rubber. Also the straps and eye pieces are different.different.

M30M30 M38M38

Gas Mask M30 / M38 Gas Mask M30 / M38 (www.mp44.nl(www.mp44.nl))

German M30 Gas Mask German M30 Gas Mask (www.mp44.(www.mp44.nlnl))

The M30 Model was made from rubberized cloth The M30 Model was made from rubberized cloth with a tightening frame of soft leather.with a tightening frame of soft leather.

In 1938 the M38 mask was adopted using rubber In 1938 the M38 mask was adopted using rubber for both mask and frame.for both mask and frame.

German M38 Gas Mask German M38 Gas Mask (www.mp44.(www.mp44.nlnl))

Left-to-right: M30 size 1, M30 size 2 and M38 size 3

Gas Mask Size IndicationGas Mask Size Indication (www.mp44.(www.mp44.nlnl))

Gas masks came in three different sizes: #1, #2 and #3. #1 was the largest size and 3 the smallest. The size indication

can be seen between the eye pieces (on older M30 masks the size markings are only on the inside of the maskand readable on the snout)

Gas Mask Filters Gas Mask Filters (www.mp44.(www.mp44.nlnl))

From leftFrom left--toto--right FE37R, FE41 and FE 42 Filterright FE37R, FE41 and FE 42 Filter

From leftFrom left--toto--right FE37(R),right FE37(R), FE37R(FE37R(TpTp), FE41 and), FE41 and FE42 FilterFE42 Filter

Basically there were 4 type of filters also called FilterBasically there were 4 type of filters also called Filter EinsatzEinsatz (FE).(FE).

Blue Painted Parts for Blue Painted Parts for Magnetic GasmasksMagnetic Gasmasks (www.mp44.(www.mp44.nlnl))

M30 with Blue Painted Parts

(www.mp44.nl)Black M38

with Blue Painted Parts(www.mp44.nl)

M30 M30 (www.shopwiki.com)

The magnetic gas mask was provided for units not equipped with magnetic compass needles. Eye pieces and other metal parts

were made out of iron instead of non-ferrous metals, and were painted in a dark blue color.