wwIIfighterpilots Posted July 15, 2011 Share #1 Posted July 15, 2011 Forgive me if I have posted this in wrong spot, this appears to be best place but I am new here. Could I get any opinions on if this A-14 oxygen mask is unused or could have been used in WWII? It has an early 1944 date on it, just FYI. I assume it is unused since there's no microphone inside and there's no hole indicating the cord was ever there. I realize throat mikes were used at times in the European theatre but my understanding is they were not used alone, they were used at same time as the mike inside the oxygen mask. So do you guys agree this is unused or is the lack of microphone not enough to make that judgment? Thanks in advance for your time and knowledge. Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wwIIfighterpilots Posted July 15, 2011 Author Share #2 Posted July 15, 2011 second photo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wwIIfighterpilots Posted July 15, 2011 Author Share #3 Posted July 15, 2011 Third photo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johan Willaert Posted July 15, 2011 Share #4 Posted July 15, 2011 Yes, they were used... You see them on period pictures A quick search gave this one but there are many more... Also look at the bottom of this page http://www.303rdbg.com/uniforms-gear.html and the following pages Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wwIIfighterpilots Posted July 15, 2011 Author Share #5 Posted July 15, 2011 Hi, Thank you Johan, but that's not my question. I know they were used extensively. But what I am asking about is mine specifically, if the lack of a microphone and cord hole mean it was unused. Seems to me if it was used, either those items would still be in it OR there would have been a hole made where the cord used to be. See in the photo you posted, you can see the microphone cord running alongside the oxygen hose. I am just trying to determine if mine may have been worn, or clearly wasn't. If anyone sees any clues in my photos. Thanks. Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johan Willaert Posted July 15, 2011 Share #6 Posted July 15, 2011 Ah OK, I see now... Well I've got one just like yours with no microphone ever having been fitted and still in the original box.... I assume it was not actually worn although the box does have a name of the GI it was issued to... Johan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wwIIfighterpilots Posted July 15, 2011 Author Share #7 Posted July 15, 2011 Hi Johan, Thank you again. Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wwIIfighterpilots Posted July 18, 2011 Author Share #8 Posted July 18, 2011 Anyone? Buehler? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GPyleUSMC Posted July 21, 2011 Share #9 Posted July 21, 2011 I think it may have been used. I also have an A-14 mask in about the same condition as yours. I believe that mine was used even though it doesn't have the mic in the mask. I think they may have just been using the throat mics alone. Just my 2 cents. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boxerdogi Posted July 21, 2011 Share #10 Posted July 21, 2011 I would not be suprised if they used these with a throat mike as well. Sometimes the masks have a numbered metal tag, which would match the one on the helmet. Any chance yours is tagged? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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