The S3 was the korean civil defense gas mask in the Republic of Korea until the full introduction of the K1 in 2005(?). The mask itself was designed by the SanCheong company in South Korea. SanCheong is the largest safety equipment producer in South Korea. They have also produced the S4 and S5. The mask was originally created for the military, police, and industrial fields, but is today only used by the police and industrial fields of South Korea.
They were packaged from the factory with the mask and filter in separate labelled foil packages inside of the haversack, with the manual tucked in the bag as well. The box tells of the production date, and box contents, along with general info on the mask. The mask is only rated for Chemical and Biological agents, which is particularly interesting since this was Military issue.
Mask overview[]
The mask is made of a butyl style rubber, with a textile head harness. There are only three pieces of visible stainless steel on the mask, the input clamp band, and the two screws holding the exhale valve/voice diaphragm cover on the main structure, the rest is rubber and tough gloss and flat black plastic. SanCheong is printed on the temple area, along with a size indicator on the right forestrap. The mask was issued in 3 sizes small, medium, and large.
The threading is STANAG 4155 compliant, allowing standardised NATO canisters to be used. A large metal band seals the rubber around the front assembly, and can be taken off with the access of the lower clamp.
The eyepieces are trianular. Like most masks of this era, it has an inner second seal, along with an oral-nasal cup with two inlet valves.
The mask uses a completely fabric head harness with a large comfortable mesh skull cap with a small pull tab on the bottom. It uses plastic buckles.
Accessories[]
The mask was issued in two configurations, one came with a large green hood, hose, and filter, and one with just the filter. The first set up mentioned was for industrial use and military use in heavily contaminated environments. The second configuration is with just the filter, issued to all three fields for normal situations.
It comes with a Grey Nylon carrier that has the mask model, for Chemical and Biological Agents, and Made in Korea on the outside. It opens with a zipper, and the inside of the bag is covered in a smooth grey waterproofing material.
