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A alternate M8 Snout gas mask with M11 filter attached.
A Standard M8 with natural rubber M3 face piece and C15 exhalation valve
The M8 Snout-type service mask was introduced by the US during late WWII. It was based on M2 and M3 facepieces modified to accept the lightweight M11 canister. It was designed as a stopgap to the then failed M5 Combat Service Mask project. The mask entered production in Summer 1945 and ended shortly after due to the end of the war. Due to the abrupt stop in production, only just over 300,000 units were produced over its short procurement period. The M8 was quickly put on the backburner after the war as focus quickly shifted to the development of the E19 (M9). The M8 remained in use after the war, seeing limited service until it was declared obsolete in 1958.
The M8 Snout Gas Mask was designed to be a lightweight, compact, Service Mask for use by assault troops in the Pacific Theater. The M8 has the filter connected directly to the facepiece at the chin position, replacing the hose.
Description[]
The M8 facepiece assembly is comprised of a reconditioned M3 Lightweight Service Mask facepiece. By which the hose would be removed and replaced with a angled 60mm filter adapter. The outlet valve would also be sometimes replaced with the shrouded C15 style. As well as having the head harness and webbing replaced with a updated pattern with a nape strap known as the C4. (This is the same type used on the E6/M5 Assualt Masks.) It should be noted a "Alternate" facepiece was also procured. This facepiece is almost idenitcal to the regular M8 facepiece. Though, instead of using M3 faceblank, it utilized the older faceblank with rifle skids used on the M2 service and training masks. The M8 and M8 (Alternate) were both identical in terms of design otherwise.
M10 Carrier[]
The M8 Snout-type Gas Mask had a specially designed carrier bag, the M10, made of waterproof cotton duck material. A flap assembly is sewn on the back near the opening. It can be closed by folding the flap over the opening and snapping LTD (lift-the-dot) fasteners. Two inside pockets hold accessories and the anti-dim set. Two flannel lens pads inside protect the gas mask lenses. Two strap assemblies are stitched to the bag.
Prototype Models[]
The prototype model of the M8 was issued in a gray canteen, instead of the standard haversacks used by the United States at the time. Allegedly, the prototype was used as a training mask. Originally, the prototype had a fixed filter, but that was abandoned with the final model.
An image of the rarer prototype.
Conflicting Evidence[]
Despite what known period documents state, Very few M8-11-10s are confirmed to exist with M3 faceblanks and or C15 exhalation valves. Almost all surviving examples today of M8-11-10s are of the alternate rifle skid face pieces with M8 outlet valves. This has lead to much speculation among collectors as to why this is so.
Gallery[]
References[]
- CWS From Laboratory To Field Vol.2: https://books.google.com/books?id=1n5nbamgyBoC&pg=PA325&lpg=PA325&dq=m5+combat+service+mask&source=bl&ots=TLeKkdSXOG&sig=ACfU3U02Hv4BX-XPQA8fftbOZL1LYl3ZYg&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwihwq_fkOT8AhX_MzQIHWXwCS04HhDoAXoECAMQAw#v=onepage&q=m5%20combat%20service%20mask&f=false
- TM 3-205 The Gas Mask March 1951
- TM 3-205 The Gas Mask April 1955: https://books.google.com/books?id=T7oXAAAAYAAJ&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false