Russian GP-7V Civilian Gas Mask
Manufacturer: ?
Model: GP-7Vm
Country: The Russian Federation
Type: Half face
Year: 1992
Condition: New and sealed
Production Run: 1988- 1992
Bought From: eBay
Description: Soviet gas mask + filter new sealed
Price £24.00 free express shipping
Vendor: Seller epic_militaria on ebay
Shipped From:UK
First impressions
ooh this was the mask that I most wanted! The rather cool looking GP-7V. Those who are paying attention will notice that this mask is almost identical to the one used in the rather crap "My Bloody Valentine" film remake of 2011.
The homicidal maniac miner goes on his underground rampage wearing one of these, albeit with a slight modification here and there.
Cue photo from "my bloody valentine"
Yes this is indeed the same mask but the movie prop makers switched the inlet and outlet ports on their GP-7V and ditched the face fitting green filter can. All very interesting
On eBay these masks seem to be fetching a premium price so paying around £20-£25 shipped is about right at the moment.
Compared to other mask kits - such as the GP-5 this thing is double the price.
I don't mind splashing out a bit once in a while so £25 isn't going to bankrupt me. Will it turn out to be worth it?
Russian or Soviet?
This mask was made in 1992, about a year after the dissolution of the Soviet union making this mask a Russian republic offering.
Other GP-7V masks made before 1991 will be Soviet.
Who were these issued to?
The civilian population. Contrary to belief, this is not a military mask. The military version is called the PMK and is identical in every way except for different shaped eye pieces.
What was in the Box?
This kit arrived in a nicely packaged cardboard box. Often gas masks are sent in plastic bags through the mail which fills me with dread at times. It wouldn't take much bashing about to crack a glass eye piece. A cardboard box is much more civilised.
Inside the box was
Haversack (new)
I make that November 1992
The green haversack which accompanies this set is pretty crap it has to be said.The cotton used here is as thin as a cigarette paper, quite why they didn't opt for canvas is beyond me.
A little padding here and there wouldn't have hurt them. When you consider the quality of the mask you'd expect it to arrive in a protective bag. It's neither waterproof nor protective.
It looks nice but it's as flimsy as hell!
When the face piece, filter and water bottle are put in the bag everything sinks to the bottom. Like carrying tins of beans in a Tesco bag.
Not a good product and the only bag point about this kit.
GOST 40mm Filter Can (New)
The E0-1 filter canister features ridges on the top unlike the GP-5 small can. This one was brand new and sealed. The original brown paper surrounding it. As everything else in this kit is from 1992 I suspect this filter is also from that year.
Many conspiracy theories circulate the internet regarding Russian filters and asbestos. Well, I really don't mind using this one as it's quite recent compared to many found on eBay. I doubt the Russians were still messing about with asbestos in the early 90's.
Russian codes all over the place
Apart from the E0-1 model number I can't work out what the hell the rest of the codes on the side of the can relate to? Presumably batch numbers and factory details.
This filter uses the standard Soviet/Russian 40mm GOST screw fitting to attach to the mask.
Face Piece
Now we get to the meat!
I really like the look of this mask. It's really well made and features a great strap adjustment system which I haven't seen before.
The main part of the face piece is made from a thick latex with a thinner latex 5 point strap system at the rear.
Just inside the mask is a double skin of rubber adding to the masks air tight qualities.
Clever but flawed fixing system
Getting this mask on is a bloody nightmare!. Because the whole of the fixing harness is made from rubber, it sticks to your hair and cause great deal of pain. Once it's on its alright, very comfortable etc.Had they opted to make a fabric harness it wouldn't be so bad.
Fitting the filter sand tightening the straps, the mask is quite good. Mobility is good, vision is good. No problem.
The exhale valve and drinking straw
Tucked inside the face piece is a strange looking black straw. This is for taking a drink from the yellow bottle of course. Having the ability to rehydrate without taking the mask off is a great safety feature.
Factory number and date
The glass eye pieces are the standard GP-5 style only zinc plated or something. As the mask is new the glass eye pieces are clean and scratch free.One thing missing from this kit was the extra ballistic outserts. An extra set of lens that fit over the ones in the mask offering extra protection from breaking. Not sure why I didn't get mine?
Numbered notches? What a good idea!
The harness although made from the wrong material has at least one good thing going for it. The brilliant numbered notches on each of the 5 straps. The benefits of being able to fit the mask properly speak for themselves.
Hydration Canteen
This civilian task mask kit comes with a handy rehydration system. The yellow bottle is made from a soft type of plastic whilst the cap is made from Aluminium.
Capacity of 75cl or 700ml
Pressure valve drinking spout
To stop unwanted crap contaminating the contents the Russians fitted a pressure value fitting inside the cap.
By inserting the end of the drinking straw into the cap a plunger attached to a spring is then lowered allowing the liquid to flow.
When the bottle isn't being used, the hole can be plugged with the attached rubber bung on a string..
You rig the drinking tube like so...
Once the connection has been made between the drinking straw and the cap, the bottle must be held upside down to allow gravity to shove the liquid up the tube.
I don't plan on drinking anything out of this bottle. It shall remain new and unused.
Overall this is a really nice kit. I consider it to be worth the extra money. The quality of everything (except the bag) is really good and seems hard-wearing. I won't be selling this one!
👍👍👍👍 Great mask - crap haversack