US-132 Navy Modified Mark III Gas Mask 1942

I knew when I saw this gas mask at a local antique mall that I was looking at something special, and HAD to have it. It was labeled as a Korean War Fighter Pilot Oxygen Mask, and I got it for a steal at $80!

It took me a while to determine what exactly I was looking at. The attached tag was a big head start referencing the Diaphragm Mark III and IV, along with the giant USN stamped on the forehead.


The shape of the eyes told me it was a Mark III. However, it wasn't the typical Mark III gas mask. The normal gas mask has shorter hoses, which terminate into the canister. Mine was clearly modified. I finally found it on gasmasks.net (which is no longer in service). That site declared this particular mask Rare, and theorized it was modified in order to become a diving mask. The US Navy has a full website detailing adapting these gas masks into shallow water diving masks:

http://www.history.navy.mil/browse-by-topic/heritage/uniforms-and-personal-equipment/gas-masks-and-breathing-apparatus-us-navy-uniform.html

I also found a great photo set of another modified Mark III belonging to Rod Munoz:

https://plus.google.com/u/0/photos/+RodneyMunoz-TheGasMaskCollector/albums/6009340454999622417?sqi=104028434719628628690&sqsi=3acd2fe9-37be-443f-a707-321442732c6f

So those are my sources for info, here are a couple more photos. Currently I have the gas mask hanging on my wall. I am very tempted to use it in some Cosplay as one of Ashley Wood's de Plume's as well.











Comments

Historic Preservations DC said…
I have the documentation on this mask please contact me
August 21, 2019 at 7:51 PM
Soja rinn said…
I could not track down your contact info on blogger. You can email me at jma79x gmail.
August 22, 2019 at 3:38 PM
donnaj edwards said…
Thanks for this. I really like what you've posted here and wish you the best of luck with this blog and thanks for sharing. Swimming Goggles with Power
December 11, 2020 at 10:46 PM
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