GasMasksUK
Civilian Respirators
Type: General Civilian Respirator
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The General Civilian Respirator is perhaps one of the most iconic pieces of equipment seen on the Home Front during the Second World War. The design was developed at Porton Down and the patented applied for in 1935 by Major John A. Sadd. The relative simplicity of the design meant that these respirators could be easily and quickly produced in large numbers for issue to the British civilian population. It featured a simple sheet rubber facepiece, a single eyepiece made from celluloid, a three point adjustable head harness and a filter secured in place by a rubber band. No exhale valve is present on the standard General Civilian Respirator, instead exhaled air would be expelled though the edges of the facepiece when the wearer breathes out. Several different sizes exist, ranging from those suitable for children all the way up to adult sizes. For younger children and babies, or those with specific medical conditions, special respirators were developed, examples of which can be seen on this page. By the outbreak of the Second World War, over 50 million General Civilian Respirators had been produced, they were issued in a small cardboard box which also doubled up as a carrier, these can be seen in many period photographs of people going about their daily business during the early stages of the Second World War when carrying your respirator was compulsory.
Type: General Civilian Respirator
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Type: General Civilian Respirator
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Type: General Civilian Respirator
Manufacturer(s): Siebe Gorman
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Type: General Civilian Respirator
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Type: General Civilian Respirator with exhale valve
Manufacturer(s): Avon (facepiece) Barringer, Wallis and Manners Ltd (BW&M Ltd) (filter)
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Date(s): 3-43 (facepiece) 1936 (filter)
GasMasksUK Collection Serial No: UK018
This version of the General Civilian Respirator differs from the normal version in that it features an exhale valve in the nose area. These were issued to those with diagnosed breathing difficulties such as asthma and thus may struggle to force air out the sides of the facepiece when exhaling as was the case with the standard General Civilian Respirator. The addition of a simple exhale valve helped alleviate this issue considerably and added to the overall comfort for the wearer. It appears that only General Civilian Respirators made from moulded rubber were used as the basis for this variation. The filter shown fitted in the image is not original to the facepiece and is shown purely for illustrative purposes.
Type: General Civilian Respirator (Canadian produced model)
Manufacturer(s): K.R. Co (Facepiece), CCC (Filter)
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Date(s): 12/42 (Facepiece), 42 (Filter)
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Much like the respirators manufactured for military purposes in Commonwealth countries being closely based of those made in Britain, those intended for issue to the civilian population were also based on pre-existing designs. The Canadian version of the General Civilian Respirator was no exception to this, the design of which is instantly recognisable as being based on its British counterpart. However, despite it being a copy, the actual construction is completely unique throughout with little in common with the respirator on which it is based. It was also carried in a similar cardboard box, which also included instructions in either French of English depending on which region the respirator was issued.
Type: Civilian Respirator (Canadian)
Manufacturer(s): Unknown
Filter Type: Unknown
Date(s): N/A
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This unusual respirator is believed to have been produced in the US and exported to Canada for issue to the civilian population. It is constructed using a simple sheet rubber facepiece, an aluminium filter attached by means of a threaded mount, a "Connell" type exhale valve, an elastic 6 point head harness and a single eyepiece which is reminiscent of that featured on the Canadian General Civilian Respirator. Unfortunately this respirator doesn't feature any markings to give any indication as to its origins or intended purpose, other than a patent number moulded into the exhale valve which refers to only the valve itself.
Type: Unknown
Manufacturer(s): Unknown
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This unusual respirator appears to be a partially home made item utilising the half mask and hose of what is likely a Siebe Gorman produced industrial respirator based loosely on the MkIV Dust respirator. A filter from a Second World War era General Civilian Respirator is fitted to the end of the hose using a combination of glued sheet rubber, wire and tape. By comparing the materials used to secure the filter to the materials used in the construction of the half mask and hose it can be determined that the filter was likely fitted at a later point by someone who had only had access to basic tools and materials. By who and for what purpose remains a mystery, but it is likely that this is a one-off item.
Type: Small Children's Respirator
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Type: Small Children's Respirator
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Type: Small Children's Respirator (Canadian produced model)
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As was the case with the General Civilian Respirator, a Canadian copy of the Small Children's Respirator (commonly known as the Mickey Mouse) also existed. These more closely followed the design of the British produced version the main difference being in the type of rubber used in the construction of the facepiece, and the colour of paint applied to both the filter, and the eyepieces. Smaller differences are also present including the tape used to secure the exhale valve and filter mount, and the markings present. This particular example features the Canadian Broad Arrow stamp. These respirators were carried in the same type of cardboard box as the General Civilian Respirator, but with an additional "Small Child's Respirator" stamp on the lid to identify the contents.
Type: Defiance Respirator
Manufacturer(s): British Civilian Gas Masks & Appliances (BCGMA)
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Date(s): TESTED 27 Sep 1938 (facepiece)
GasMasksUK Collection Serial No: UK015
Prior to and during the Second World War, a quantity of commercially available respirators were produced. These varied considerably from high quality items based on the Mk.IV and Mk.V General Service Respirators to items such as the Defiance Respirator shown here. The Defiance was allegedly originally destined for use in Egypt, although following unsuccessful tests at Porton Down they were never delivered despite the issues being rectified. Instead, the Defiance was marketed and sold within the UK. It does contain features which are an improvement on the design of the General Civilian Respirator, such as having a removable filter which could be easily changed, an exhale valve, an adjustable elastic head harness yet retaining a fairly simple user friendly design. However, the actual implementation of these design features left a lot to be desired and resulted in a very cheaply made respirator which was arguably below the standard of what the British Government were issuing. It is worth noting that a slightly improved and refined variation of the Defiance did exist, however this wasn't enough to make it a commercial success, resulting in both the respirator and BCGMA fading into obscurity.
Type: Defiance Respirator
Manufacturer(s): British Civilian Gas Masks & Appliances (BCGMA)
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As well as being manufactured from black material as shown above, the Defiance Respirator was also manufactured in a beige colour with the metal components painted to match. Unusually, like the Vollblickmaske shown below, this particular example has a Contex pre-filter fitted to provide protection against Arsenic based smokes. The addition of these pre-filters was carried out from May 1940 onwards, meaning that this example was being used, or was at least available for commercial sale in the UK after this date.
Type: Vollblickmaske (exported)
Manufacturer(s): Stolzenberg (facepiece), Drager (filter), Roberts, MacLean and Co Ltd (distributor)
Filter Type: SFA
Date(s): 14 Okt 1939 (facepiece) Tested 14.10.38 (filter)
GasMasksUK Collection Serial No: UK070
The Vollblickmaske is a German commercially manufactured respirator intended for industrial purposes. This particular example is fitted with a Drager filter, which has an additional label attached by the distributor; Roberts, McLean and Co. This label details the filters protective capabilities and includes a test date, in English apposed to German. Unusually it also has an additional pre-filter normally associated with the General Civilian Respirator secured to the base of the Drager filter using surgical tape. The label and pre-filter coupled with its presence in several period Home Front photographs give a very good indication that this respirator was commercially available in the UK prior to, and during the Second World War, which is quite unusual given that it is a German manufactured item.
Type: Mk.I Civilian Duty Respirator
Manufacturer(s): N/A
Filter Type: N/A
Date(s): N/A
GasMasksUK Collection Serial No: UK016
During the years prior to the Second World War a considerable amount of preparation took place on the Home Front in order to provide the British Population with means to protecting themselves. From the outset it was feared that gas may be used again as a weapon despite it being prohibited by the Geneva Gas Protocol of 1925. Personnel involved in duties which would still be undertaken during an attack required a more substantial respirator which would be better suited to prolonged used and concentrated exposure in a contaminated environment, this is something which the General Civilian Respirator was not suited nor designed for. This criteria led to the Civilian Duty Respirator series, the first model of which is shown here. It features a moulded rubber facepiece, a five point adjustable head harness, two glass eyepieces, an exhale valve and a removable filter canister. It is unclear at present whether this was a trial design or if it was actually issued in small numbers as it does appear in several period photographs which show it with a Home Office ARP (Air Raid Precautions) acceptance stamp. This design was also either influenced by, or went on to influence the design of several industrial Siebe Gorman respirators. However the subsequent Civilian Duty Respirator models were completely redesigned and didn't share any parts in common.
Type: Civilian Duty Respirator
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Type: Civilian Duty Respirator
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Type: Civilian Duty Respirator (Switchboard Operator Version)
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This interesting version of the Civilian Duty Respirator has been fitted with a headset and microphone, which is permanently fitted to the molded protrusion on the side of the facepiece. This modification was done during the production stages, as such the box in which these would be issued has an additional marking denoting it as being fitted with a microphone. These would have been issued exclusively to telephone exchange switchboard operators. Period images show that this modification was also fitted to the early versions of Civilian Duty Respirator also.
Type: Civilian Duty Respirator
Manufacturer(s): Siebe Gorman
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Date(s): 17 May 1942
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Type: Invalid Helmet Respirator
Manufacturer(s): Leyland and Birmingham Rubber Company Ltd (L&B.R.Co.Ltd) (hood) Barringer Wallis and Manners Ltd(B.W&M.Ltd) (inlet valve)
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Date(s): Jan 1941 (hood) 1939 (inlet)
GasMasksUK Collection Serial No: UK058
The bizarre Invalid Helmet Respirator was designed for those who were unable to wear the standard General Civilian Respirator due to severe breathing difficulties, facial disfigurements or wounds that would not allow for a standard respirator to be worn. It worked on the same concept as the more commonly encountered Babies Anti Gas Helmet, using bellows with an internal filter to pump air into the helmet to create a positive pressure. When worn, the Invalid Helmet would rest on the shoulders of the wearer, and was secured underneath the arms using two cords with rubber toggles on the ends. Like the majority of other civilian respirators issued, it did not feature an exhale valve, exhaled air would be forced out the base of the mask as long as air was being circulated by operating the bellows. When not in use it could be folded almost completely flat other than the pump, and stowed in a dedicated carrier.
Type: Hospital Respirator
Manufacturer(s): Leyland and Birmingham Rubber Company Ltd (L&B.R.Co. Ltd) (hood and pump) Barringer, Wallis and Manners Ltd (B.W&M.Ltd) (lnlet valve)
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Date(s): May 1943 (hood)
GasMasksUK Collection Serial No: UK057
As well as the Invalid Helmet, another specialised type of respirator was developed for use by bedridden patients, known as the Hospital Respirator. It features a rubberised fabric hood with a large visor which allows for observations to be made by medical personnel. Air is fed into the hood through a long rubber hose from bellows with an internal filter which would be either operated by the patient or medical personnel. There is also an option to provide oxygen to the respirator through a small fitting where the hose attaches to the helmet, when not in use this is blanked by a small rubber bung. Like other bellow operated respirators such as the Invalid Helmet, the Hospital Respirator also works on the positive pressure principle, meaning that as long as air is pumped into and circulated within the respirator, exhaled air will eventually escape through through the base of the hood which would be tucked into the patients bed clothes.
Type: Mk.IV Service Respirator (Civilian Model)
Manufacturer(s): Facepiece unmarked. Barringer, Wallis & Manners Ltd (Filter)
Filter Type: Type E (Civilian Variation)
Date(s): 29 Jul 1940 (filter)
GasMasksUK Collection Serial No: UK027
As well as being produced for the British and Commonwealth Armed Forces, and for industrial applications, Mk.IVs were also available to the civilian market for purchase by private individuals. These varied slightly in terms of markings and the types of filter fitted. This particular example features no markings on the facepiece, only the Type E Filter has the standard manufacturer markings and an additional date stamp. It was contained in a civilian model of haversack with a Siebe Gorman stamp on the inside of the flap.
Type: "Puretha" General Service Respirator
Manufacturer(s): Siebe Gorman
Filter Type: Puretha
Date(s): 29 Mar .... (filter, partially illegible)
GasMasksUK Collection Serial No: UK030
Puretha is the name given to a series of respirators by Siebe Gorman for the civilian market, this includes both respirators for industrial usage and for protection against chemical weapons. This particular model marketed as the "Puretha" General Service Respirator is based upon the standard issue Mk.IV design however is fitted with a considerably larger filter marked with a label which details "For use in known War Gases and Smokes". These were either contained within a suitcase bearing commercial markings, or a carrier based on the type issued with military General Service Respirator variants.
Type: Prototype C.7 General Civilian Respirator
Manufacturer(s): N/A
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Date(s): 1/51 (filter)
GasMasksUK Collection Serial No: UK017
Following the close of the Second World War and increasing threat from the Soviet Union which was made clear in 1949 by their successful atomic bomb test, the British government realised that there may still be a need for the civilian population to have a means of protecting themselves. This resulted in the development of what is best described as the evolutionary successor to the wartime General Civilian Respirator. Shown here is a prototype example of what went on to be known as the C.7 General Civilian Respirator, like it's predecessor it is of a simple design which could be constructed easily and quickly at a cost considerably less than the standard military issue respirators at the time. The C.7 differed from the wartime version by introducing several improvements including two eyepieces, an exhale valve, an additional securing strap, and an air cushion face seal. Despite sharing the overall same layout as the production model, this prototype shares very few actual components with it. Only the head harness, filter and parts of the exhale valve remain relatively unchanged, however it still serves as an excellent representation of how a prototype design eventually influences subsequent designs and finally the production model.
Type: C.7 General Civilian Respirator
Manufacturer(s): British Tyre & Rubber Co. Ltd (BTR)
Filter Type: CG Mk.4
Date(s): 4.54 (facepiece) 11-3-54 (filter)
GasMasksUK Collection Serial No: UK036
Shown here is the production version of the C.7 General Civilian Respirator, it is clear to see how the prototype model shown above went on to influence its design, however the production version is a somewhat more refined design more suited to mass production. The most noticeable difference being in the eyepieces, which on the production model feature stamped aluminium retaining rings apposed to the sewn in eyepieces on the prototype. The C.7 was the last respirator to be manufactured for the British civilian population as per a government pattern, hence why like the General Civilian Respirator of the Second World War they were manufactured by numerous companies. In all 55 million C.7s were produced by several companies including Avon, The Leyland and Birmingham Rubber Company (L&B R Co.), P. B. Cow & Co (PBC), British Tyre and Rubber (BTR) and Henley Tyre and Rubber Company. These were held held in stockpiles in various locations throughout the UK, however never appear to have been widely issued and most were subsequently destroyed.
Type: C.7 General Civilian Respirator
Manufacturer(s): L B R (Facepiece)
Filter Type: GC Mk.4
Date(s): 10-54 (facepiece) 27-7-54 (filter)
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This example of a C.7 features a size 1 facepiece, this was the smallest of the five sizes available and is more suited for children. The difference in size is most clear when it is shown beside a larger sized facepiece, such as the size 4 shown above.
Type: Small Children's Respirator
Manufacturer(s): Avon
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Type: AR10
Manufacturer(s): Avon (facepiece)
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Date(s): 1988 (facepiece)
GasMasksUK Collection Serial No: UK081
The AR10 is a variation of the successful and widely recognised S10 design. It is intended for use by UK Police Forces, in particular Armed Response officers, hence the prefix of "AR". It differs from the standard S10 design in two main features; the removal of the drinking tube in order to simplify the design and allow for better integration of an optional and rarely seen Voice Projection Unit (VPU), and having almost flat plano eyepieces which offer for better impact resistance and durability when compared to that on the S10. It still however retains the standard Secondary Speech Module (SSM) and filter mount. For the most part, the AR10 would be issued with filters to protect against tear gases, which are commonly used during Armed Response situations. Another comparable respirator to the AR10 is the SF10, again a variation of the S10 design but specifically suited for use by UK Special Forces for hostage rescue purposes, however it also did also see limited police use. The AR10 has now been replaced by the Avon, FM12, CT12, FM53 and C50 Respirators in the majority of UK Police Forces.
Type: AR10, with drinking tube and mesh head harness
Manufacturer(s): Avon (facepiece) 3M (filter)
Filter Type: 3M NBC
Date(s): 2000 (facepiece)
GasMasksUK Collection Serial No: UK082
As time progressed, additional variations of the AR10 design became available. This particular example has a mesh head harness the same as that on the FM12, and a drinking tube. This is likely in response to the UK Police being involved during CBRN situations, the head harness and drinking tube allow for more comfort and sustainability over a prolonged period. Part of the current UK Police CBRN uniform includes a camelbak hydration system which is often remains connected to the respirator throughout the entire period the respirator is worn. The AR10 has now been replaced by the Avon, FM12, CT12, FM53 and C50 Respirators in the majority of UK Police Forces.
Type: AR10 with blue speech cone and drinking tube
Manufacturer(s): Avon (facepiece)
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Date(s): 1990 (facepiece) 1:91 (filter)
GasMasksUK Collection Serial No: UK080
Type: FM12 Serial Sergeant
Manufacturer(s): Avon
Filter Type: N/A
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Avon Protection offer a number of different colour options when it comes to component parts for their products. In this instance with this example of a Police issue FM12, it is for means of easily identifying the position/role of the wearer. During Public Order and Public Safety (POPS), Officers wear colour coded rank slides as a means of identifying their position/role. As these rank slides may be covered by a CBRN suit depending on the situation, the Speech Cone also provides a means to easily identifying the wearer, which in this case is a Serial Sergeant.
Type: FM12 PSU Commander
Manufacturer(s): Avon
Filter Type: N/A
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Avon Protection offer a number of different colour options when it comes to component parts for their products. In this instance with this example of a Police issue FM12, it is for means of easily identifying the position/role of the wearer. During Public Order and Public Safety (POPS), Officers wear colour coded rank slides as a means of identifying their position/role. As these rank slides may be covered by a CBRN suit depending on the situation, the Speech Cone also provides a means to easily identifying the wearer, which in this case is PSU (Police Support Unit) Commander.
Type: FM12 Bronze Commander
Manufacturer(s): Avon
Filter Type: N/A
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Avon Protection offer a number of different colour options when it comes to component parts for their products. In this instance with this example of a Police issue FM12, it is for means of easily identifying the position/role of the wearer. During Public Order and Public Safety (POPS), Officers wear colour coded rank slides as a means of identifying their position/role. As these rank slides may be covered by a CBRN suit depending on the situation, the Speech Cone also provides a means to easily identifying the wearer, which in this case is a Bronze Commander.