Gas Masks and Filters

[prgeyer]

Hey all, I just picked up an original Md.35 gas mask and cannister, and I had a couple of questions:

1) Unlike the metal cannister for the German mask, there is no strap at the base for attaching it to the belt, only the large strap for hanging it over the shoulder. Does this mean that, when worn, the cannister hangs vertically downward? Is it worn on the right side, the same place where the gas mask bag would have gone if it had been used?

2) While the mask and cannister are in great shape, it is missing the filter. Does anybody know where I might be able to find a replacement filter?

Peter

This post has been edited by prgeyer on August 25, 2008 04:47 pm

[Corbu]

Hi!

About your second question:
Filters for mod 38 were cylindric, green as the helmets. You can find very similar ones on old Russian gas masks, excepting for the colour (Romanian was green leaf, Russian is kaki "defence"). And you can purchase an old Russian gas mask (new old stock) at abour 25 ... 30 RON at www.kaki-shop.ro
It's difficult to say if the fillet joint will work, but as old Russian gas masks were made on German captured machines, I presume that's metric gauge, as the Romanian ones, and not Withworth.

Wish you the best! Corbu

[mihnea]

Md. 35 is a civilian gas mask not military only made for the civilian market based on the Md.32 gas mask but with a small filter, no connecting tube and was kept in a box instead of bag. they were made from 1938 until early 1940 (most in 1939 and very few in 1940), this is the reason many people call them model 38 or 39. But the correct is Md. 35, 1935 is the year it was designed. The army never used these gas mask so they are useless for reenactment unless to use only the face mask that is identical to the military Md. 32, except the markings.

Take a look here and here .

Also a russian filter is not correct and will never fit, the same thing happens with german ones.

[prgeyer]

Excellent! Thanks for the info. That helps to clarify a few things. I have a mint Polish M.32, so for the purposes of reenactment I will likely change out the face piece to save the rubber of the Polish one.

It is unfortunate that all of the gas mask web sites that I am familiar with refer to the Md.35 as a military mask if it is indeed a civilian only model.

Peter