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Historical attributes of the MKVII?

Posted: Fri Mar 12, 2010 11:15 am
by Arch Stanton
I got mine shortly before Christmas time. In the past I was pretty ignorant to these beautiful bags. I always assumed they were some kind of sack(like one big pocket), but they are actually compartmentalized perfectly to hold all kinds of my daily junk. When I get asked about the bag I always explain that it's an old gasmask bag, and how it's WWII era, and what Indiana Jones wears. But what I want to know is what the original purpose for the pockets are. Which components of the gasmask went where? I can't really picture it no matter which way I look at it.

Re: Historical attributes of the MKVII?

Posted: Sat Mar 13, 2010 12:07 am
by Snakewhip_Sable
Mask goes in one side, filter in the other. Seek out "Village of the Darned*", you'll see one in action at the beginning of the film.

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*it's not really 'darned', but like those big concrete things that hold back rivers.

Re: Historical attributes of the MKVII?

Posted: Sat Mar 13, 2010 10:36 am
by Arch Stanton
Wow! Thanks for the reply, my friend. I wish my bag actually had the gasmask to go with it. I could be like the dude from Sandman Mystery Theater.


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Re: Historical attributes of the MKVII?

Posted: Fri Mar 19, 2010 4:14 pm
by Snakewhip_Sable
Like this?

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That's me changing the cat litter.

Re: Historical attributes of the MKVII?

Posted: Fri Mar 19, 2010 6:59 pm
by Mountaineer
Snakewhip, you may joke, but when I was a kid and into the melodrama teens are prone to exhibiting, I actually had an Israeli protective mask for just that very purpose.

Re: Historical attributes of the MKVII?

Posted: Fri Mar 19, 2010 7:03 pm
by Snakewhip_Sable
I really did wear it when I changed the cat litter. Not as hardcore as your story, but it's true. :)

Re: Historical attributes of the MKVII?

Posted: Fri Mar 19, 2010 7:11 pm
by binkmeisterRick
Sandman?

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I used to wear mine in art school when working on particularly toxic projects...

Re: Historical attributes of the MKVII?

Posted: Tue Mar 23, 2010 2:45 pm
by Treadwell
okay, we've identified the use of the forward compartments, what about the pockets along the back panel?

Re: Historical attributes of the MKVII?

Posted: Tue Mar 23, 2010 3:16 pm
by wembley
I heard some old gas masks contain asbetos in the filters and therefore should never be worn due to obvious health risks. Check your filter has been removed. If bought from a reputable military surplys store is should have been removed and made safe.


Just Mr Safety giving you the heads up in case you oick up the old masks...would't want you doing yourselves more harm than inhaling poopy kitty litter!. :)

Re: Historical attributes of the MKVII?

Posted: Tue Mar 30, 2010 12:28 pm
by Erri
wembley wrote:I heard some old gas masks contain asbetos in the filters and therefore should never be worn due to obvious health risks. Check your filter has been removed. If bought from a reputable military surplys store is should have been removed and made safe.
Which makes me think that a sticky threads should be made on that purpose considering the amount of people on this website who bought or will buy MKVII with a gas mask still in it.