Retro Posted December 15, 2014 Share #1 Posted December 15, 2014 Hey all, I suspect this won't be hugely popular, but thought I'd share since it is an unusual piece and one of my favorites in my collection. This is an E15R3 protective headpiece from the 50s or 60s. It's an early prototype for what I suspect to be a hood for decontamination roles or for rocket fuel handling.Rather than a conventional mask with a protective hood, this is a half mask with a hood and lenses as a single integral mask/hood. The hood itself is based on the MI winterization kit for the M9 masks, only the hood has not been cut for the M9 mask. The hose is the same type as the one used with the ABC-M21 rocket fuel handling mask (an M9 with a hose and propellant filter). Hood itself is dated 1954, but the hose is dated 1960. I'm unsure if the hoods were made up as blanks, dated, and then later cut for the M9 (hence the 1954), or if this mask was actually made in 1954 and the hose was added later. Another unusual feature is that the mask has 2 diaphragms for voice transmission: (1) on the front of the mask that can be clearly seen, and (2) one on the side of the mask, which I suspect is for phone or radio communication (I suppose rather strange for the roles which such a mask was intended for). The markings also appear to be hand stenciled. According to one of the previous owners, this piece was originally in the Army's Chemical Corp Museum's collection when the museum was at Edgewood. A highly crude piece, for sure. Thanks for looking. More pics to follow. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Retro Posted December 15, 2014 Author Share #2 Posted December 15, 2014 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Retro Posted December 15, 2014 Author Share #3 Posted December 15, 2014 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Retro Posted December 15, 2014 Author Share #4 Posted December 15, 2014 Flash on this one to allow you to see the secondary side diaphragm for what I suspect to be phone or radio communication. This thing is just weird. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Retro Posted December 15, 2014 Author Share #5 Posted December 15, 2014 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Retro Posted December 15, 2014 Author Share #6 Posted December 15, 2014 Closeup of hood markings. They look hand stenciled. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Retro Posted December 15, 2014 Author Share #7 Posted December 15, 2014 Hose is removable. Attaches via the 60mm threaded connection; same as the M9 series. Shown disconnected from the facepiece. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Retro Posted December 15, 2014 Author Share #8 Posted December 15, 2014 Head harness. Is attached to the inner mask as well as the hood itself. Some M9 hardware on it, but for the most part it is unique. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Retro Posted December 15, 2014 Author Share #9 Posted December 15, 2014 Poor photo, but a shot of the inner mask. It's very crude and also looks like a "home-made" item without sophisticated injection molding or anything of the sort. You can see the spring on the "brow" that holds the shape of the mask under the weight of the lenses. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Retro Posted December 15, 2014 Author Share #10 Posted December 15, 2014 Photo from an Army Chemical Corp Museum "brochure" from the Army's Chemical Center, Maryland. The document is undated as far as I can tell, but it looks 1960s. This image is on pg 10 and shows similar hood masks to the E15R3. Note there is one using optical mask parts, and some that almost look like they are based on goggles. Interesting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
raylemere Posted December 15, 2014 Share #11 Posted December 15, 2014 looks awesome nice mask! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
one50 Posted December 17, 2014 Share #12 Posted December 17, 2014 Hugely popular with me. Fantastic item. Thanks for sharing and do not hesitate to share more. Thanks Dan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Retro Posted December 17, 2014 Author Share #13 Posted December 17, 2014 Thanks Ray and Dan. I'll try to get some more of my stuff posted. Thanks,Another Dan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now