Cold War Crap
Czech M10M Gas Mask
Manufacturer: ?
Model: M10M
Country : Czechoslovakia / East Germany
Year: 1985 & 1988
Production Run: 1970's - 1980's
Size/s: Both size 2
Price: £10 + £4 postage
Vendor: private eBay sellers
Shipped From: UK
What's in the Kit? Face piece, 2x cheek filter packs, 2x Ballistic Outserts, 2x Filter caps, 1x Drinking system cap
First impressions
These Czech masks are all over eBay at the moment. They are widely Regarded as the best of the american M-17 cold war clones.
It wasn't that long ago that I was reviewing the rare Polish MP-4 clone.
To see the original MP-4 review Click Here
I really liked the polish version although it's cloth covered filter caps were a little manky.
I always had my eye on getting the much improved Czech offering and in a twist of irony two cheap ones come along at the same time. I couldn't pass it up.
This cheek filtered Czech mask comes in two distinct flavours.
The M10 and the M10M.
Differences between the two include an upgraded voice emitter and added drinking system on the M10M.
Both types of M10 can be purchased in brand new and sealed condition from eBay for under £20.
Rather than buying the standard M10 mask I decided to skip that and head straight for the top model the M10M.
Both of the masks featured here cost me £10 each which works out a few pounds cheaper than buying them from an eBay storefront.
Same mask, different bags
As the M10M's were bought from different sellers at different times so they arrived at my door a few days apart.
The first to arrive was new in the sense that it hadn't been issued to anyone but it wasn't still sealed in its factory state. Consequently the rubber was a little grubby and required a little soapy water. The second mask on the other hand was sealed from the factory and still had the plastic travel spacers still fitted.
One kit arrived with only one set of filters which seemed a little odd seeing as though the complete kit should come with two sets as standard No matter though as extra sets are relatively easy to lay your hands on.
Both kits came in different sized haversacks which also seemed a little strange. Essentially they are the same bag with the same pockets and compartments but one is noticeably smaller.
A little bit about the M10 series
These masks were issued to personnel in the Czech and East German military during the cold war period. Quite why the east German NVA enter this equation is anyone's guess. I was lead to believe that this was a solely Czechoslovakia issued mask. - the internet says otherwise.
When it comes to plagiarism the Soviets were masters at it.
Take the American M-17 mask. Widely recognised as the mask used during the Vietnam war. It was black in colour and looked menacing. The Americans did away with it a long time ago.
Enter the cold war and the Soviet copying machine.
Throughout the Warsaw pact countries were M-17 variations.
Notably the Polish MP-4, Bulgarian BD-1 and of course the Czech M10 and M10M. The latter having the best features and build quality.
The M-17 wasn't the only mask to get duplicated by the reds.
The US M-9 also fell to the counterfeiters in the form of the Yugoslavian MC-1.
United States M-17 from the 1950's
Masks which featured cheek filters such as the M-17, MP-4, PDE-1 and M10/M were found to be flawed when it came to 'In the field' filter changing. Not only was it a faff to change the filters, it would also prove to be a safety issue as the mask has to be completely removed before filter changes. The poor fella wearing the mask had to totally expose himself to the very noxious crap he was trying to get away from!
If your filters got clogged or wet then you were in a worse situation. An oversight on the design table.
As Cheek filter masks were inherently impractical it wasn't long before the mask was replaced.
The Face piece
Dates printed on the elasticated straps
The face pieces on these M10M's are made to a really high standard it would seem. The rubber is thick and heavy duty yet also feels soft and supple.The M10M features an inner chin hugging mask which helps in making an air tight seal. This extra part is really helpful and doesn't get in the way.
The voice emitter featured on the front of the M10M is made solely from plastic. Behind the pepper pot style cover lies various parts to aid with communication.
This mask does come with anti-fog tissot tubes that are situated on the inside behind each eye piece. They work quite well, happily clearing away any mist with every intake of breath.
The rear multi-point harness is easy to fit and adjust. It's made from a soft elasticated fabric which doesn't rip the scalp or pull hair out. Adjusting the fit is an easy one handed operation involving nothing more than a pull to tighten or a press on the buckle to loosen.
This unpleasant looking thing looks familiar?
Overall the mask itself is very nice. It fits well and doesn't seem to weigh too heavy on the face.
Drinking Straw
The drinking straw is made from good quality rubber with a metal coupling at the end.
Unlike the drinking straws on the GP-7V twhich are exposed to the elements, The straw on the M10M is totally hidden behind a flap of rubber.You wouldn't think so if you saw the eBay sellers photos of the mask. They just leave it looped up on the side of the mask, just ready to get snagged up on something and ripped out!
Mask on the right shows the correct way to stow the Straw
Unlike on the GP-7V the drinking straw on this Czech mask (when fitted correctly) is perfectly protected from the elements or nasty chemicals when not in use. I have found the rubber drinking hose to be soft and chewy on the GP-7V as if something has reacted to the rubber somewhere along the way? Hiding the coiled straw behind a rubber flap is definitely the way to go.
The Filters
The filters supplied with this mask are fairly easy to identify.
The silver foil filters are intended for NBC use whilst the clear bag type are for tear gas and dust etc.
Each kit should come with a set of each type but just recently it seems that some eBay sellers have started taking a set out from the bag and selling them separately.
Getting replacement filters for these masks was quite difficult at one time as their production ceased years ago but it seems that just recently they have become more numerous?
So having established that identifying and obtaining these filters is easy it's time to mention the utterly horrendous not-so-easy fitting of the filters to the mask.
It can take up to ten minutes to fit both cheek filters. Quicker once you practice a few times. It's a horrible task to get involved with.
After surgically inserting both filters a further tussle ensues involving the screwing on of the outer filter caps which have a tendancy to unscrew themselves again it would seem?! Anyway, the final step involves the buttoning up of the inner flaps so to speak. It's no wonder the cheek filter concept was dropped.
The Ballistic Outserts
These 'Extra Lens' as they are often referred to on eBay are infact ballistic outserts. As well as serving as an extra layer of protection to the permanently fixed main lens. They also act as a cold weather barrier to help with anti-fog and as a way of attaching the NBC hood (sold separately if you can find one) to the mask. Overall they are quite useful.
They are made from perspex I think and not glass.
It must have been much easier and cheaper to replace these than to replace the main glass ones should something have gone wrong.
The Look
Gas masks are never a good look especially on me but this M10M is pretty cool. Even though it's an old obselete pile of rubber it still looks modern somehow.
It's not to bulky to wear with an NBC suit.
Rating ✅✅✅✅✅ 5 out of 5
As far as brand new and sealed masks goes the M10M is the popular choice. Its easily the best of the US M-17 copies without a doubt and better than the M-17 itself I venture.
OK it won't save you from a nuclear apocalypse but it will fend off the odd tear gas round. Great for collecting at this price.
