M5 Gas Mask Project
As mentioned briefly on the Webbing page of this website, the M7 bags for these are easily available to purchase, but the M5 gas masks haven't been reproduced to date (and if they have, I dread to think of the cost). For most re-enactors the high cost couldn't be justified for something that will almost never be removed from the bag and so never seen! Originals are seldom seen and are usually far beyond the condition need to survive being bashed about by reenactors. My original remains safe inside my coffee table, although I did borrow a piece of it for my own project gas mask!
The photo shows the correct appearance of the bag and how an original gas mask looks. Now, these steps will not look identical to this. So, if you after an exact identical copy, then don't bother reading any further. However, if you want something in the bag that is the same shape and fills it perfectly, then keep going.
After I had completely ruled out using my original example, I had to find something that looked like the M5. There are a few fairly modern-made foreign gas masks (in particular, Finnish and Yugoslavian) that do bare a close resemblance to the original M5. Both have minor variations and plusses and minuses in using them. I opted for a Yugo one as I managed to find a few at £10 each.
As you can see from the photo, the biggest thing is the colour! However, imagine that being black and asides from the front filter, it is a very close in appearance. The rubber front valve pulls out easily, leaving a big vacant space... so my first issue was to find something to fill this, I started look at all other gas masks online to see if I could find anything that I could easily swap over... sadly nothing was out there. I then came across a Facebook group called "M5 Gas Mask Outlet Valve Assembly". I scrolled through lots of posts and eventually came across a price of $30... and that is without shipping. For a tiny piece of printed plastic... ummm, I think not. However, it does look good and would solve the problem. They can be my back up plan!
I then remembered my original one and thought I would have a better look at how they are inserted and how easy it would be to just pop it out and see if it would fit in the Yugo mask. After going to find the original and retrieve it from inside my coffee table (I know that sounds strange) I took it back to the office and had a look at the filter piece, giving it a twist and a pull and it popped out. Simple! Would it push into the Yugo one though? I was doubtful as nothing is ever that easy. However, to my surprise it went in perfectly, just like it was made for it. Well, interesting... although that mask was still that horrible grey/green colour.
I plucked the little grey filter back out and set it aside for now. Next, I got some very fine sandpaper and gave the whole Yugo mask rubber a light rub, just to help the paint stick to the rubber a little easier. Finding some acrylic paint (being a little like rubber, I thought that would be the best paint to use) I gave it a few good coats all over and the paint took really well (At the time, I didn't know that there is actually a liquid rubber paint which gives a much better result). With the original filter pushed back in, it started to look great. The filter can on the side was painted and I jumped on the laptop, loaded up CoralDraw and bashed out a stencil for the markings on the side. Painted those on and the project was done...
Until today... about 4 months later, when I started talking to Miles on Facebook (you can find Miles on Instagram '@falconhistory' and see all the items he makes). Miles is a genius when it comes to 3d printing and creating things in that media. I asked if he could or had printed these little grey filters. The answer was a very pleasing, yes! I enquired about how much he sells them for, and it turns out that it is only around £5 a piece! I know that the other company was not a great value for money, so I told Miles right away that I'd have three, along with some other items.
With the repro mask completed and put inside the M7 Gas Mask Bag, I then went in search of what other items would complete the gas accoutrements. Fairly common items to go along with the mask were anti-gas eye-shields (seen in the cardboard sleeve). I purchased 3 packets as I knew others would want some. The tiny tube-shaped can in the center contains a cloth and a tiny bottle of liquid used for 'anti-dimming' the mask lenses; a friend had one and said I could have it (BONUS, cheers Paddy). I already had purchased a small stack of the Cover, Protective, Individuals. So that was handy. The gas detection brassards are pretty crap in the world of re-enacting and generally disintegrate before you've even had breakfast! Although I have a couple, I will save them for a special occasion, lest all I'm left with is a tiny loop of cord around my M42 epaulette.
My finished example, using the original nose filter piece. As I said, its never going to be perfect, but for a bag filler, it's perfect. Gives the right shape, weight and movement. If people ask what's in the 'weird black bag', then it's acceptable to show them. Far better to have this, than a block of Styrofoam!