Czechoslovakia
Czech CM3 Gas Mask
Manufacturer: ? unknown
Model: CM3
Country of origin: Czechoslovakia (under soviet warsaw pact)
Year: 1973
Production run: 1960s-1970s
Issue: Military
Fitting: 40mm GOST
Price: £12 + £3.40 postage
Availability: quite rare - more so if shipped with the blue haversack
Condition: New/Unissued
Source: Private seller on ebay UK
Over 40 years old and still fresh in the bag!
Here we have a Czech CM3, a gask mask which I have been looking to add to the collection for a while now.
The CM3 gas mask is quite rare on the UK market compared to its twin brother the Polish MC1 which by comparision can be sourced very easily on ebay.
My original Polish MC1 review can be found HERE . Its an early review so allowances must be made.
Both the Czech CM3 and Polish MC1 masks were produced during the cold war whilst the two countries were under soviet administration which may explain why they both share a similar design.
Bakelite? really?
Rather than copying a soviet mask the Czechs (and Poles) took various elements of other masks and made their own designs.
The CM3 has the look of a soviet GP5 style mask but without the long snout and all over head hood. Instead it has a thick rubber face piece and elasticated strap with a curious looking inhale and exhale valve system.
A much better made mask than the MC1
The face piece
As mentioned previously the Czechs decided not to use the soviet GP5 type mask for their military however they did incorporate the same round eye pieces and tissot anti-fog system as the original soviet iconic mask. But rather than having the whole hood they went for a half face piece with elasticated straps. Arguably not as good as the full head covering but it still fits quite well and make a good air tight seal.
The CM3 features a neck strap for carrying it about
The Inhale/Exhale snout valve on this gas mask is rather interesting. What would normally be made from plastic is this time made from Bakelite. Yes Bakelite!. One of the earliest forms of plastic, of radios made during WW2, of antique clocks on your nans sideboard. Most amusing.
Who the hell was using bakelite as a material in the early 1970s! the Czechs that's who!.
It's very unusual to see bakelite in gas masks and for good reason. Bakelite is known for being incredibly brittle and so was abandoned as a construction material when more robust plastics were invented over the course of time.
I think the use of bakelite on this mask adds a nice look and texture although extra care will be needed in handling it.
Is this a gas mask or a pic from a gynecologists scrap book?
The inside of the mask is quite basic by modern standards and closely resembles the GP-5 design.
A pair of tissot tubes keeps the condensation at bay whilst the simple nasal cup directs the hot exhaled air away from the eye pieces. There is no voice diaphram as such to help with communication but the exhale port does its best to try and be one.
The filter
The filter is your typical small soviet style offering. Drab green in colour and not very interesting.
Like the face piece, this filter is unused and came wrapped in paper and cardboard.
It looks very much like the common 40mm E-08 filter found with the GP-5 kit but has a few cosmetic differences. The quality of construction is better and it looks a tad more modern than its soviet counterpart.
The age of this filter is 1973 if the stamp is to be believed which would tie up with the age of the face piece.
For its age the filter is in very good condition. Of course it is well expired now but it still looks brand new.
A GP-5 filter in disguise?
⚠⚠Does this filter contain Asbestos?⚠⚠
Were the Czechs still using Asbestos in 1973? probably not but no one can give a definitive answer on that. As with all these unknown filters its best not to use them at all just in case.The haversack
Contrary to these crappy photos, the haversack which accompanies this gas mask is in fact a shade of blue.
According to some gas mask gurus blue CM3 haversacks are very rare. Why?
Presumably these blue kits were limited in their production? I have no idea what the real reason is but they are certainly hard to find. that's for sure.
To be honest the haversack isn't really that interesting other than the fact that its rare and blue.
It doesn't have any fancy pockets or straps. It just has a single pocket where everything is kept all fastened together with a couple of press stud at the top.
Space is at a premium with this haversack so the filter has to go at the bottom followed by the face piece on top. There is no room for anything else.
A shoulder strap and abdomen string are provided to secure the haversack to the body when in use.
Donning and Doffing
Getting the CM3 on and off is very quick and easy indeed. Its simply a case of slipping the mask over your head and screwing in the filter.
No tricky buckle fumbling and no hair ripped out by elasticated rubber.
The rear adjustment straps are well designed and ensure a comfortable secure fit.
One small downside to wearing this mask is the feeling of it being front heavy when the filter is fitted. Unless the straps are properly tightened the mask can fall down your face due to the sheer weight of the filter. Its something to get used to if planning on wearing it. Most collectors wont be wearing them though.
Rating: 5 out of 5 ✅✅✅✅✅
For those looking for a good quality, low cost gas mask kit then the CM3 is a good option. It's every bit as practical as its more common twin the polish MC-1 but has better build quality overall.
The availability of the CM3 is sporadic and finding a blue haversack version is considered rare (allegedly) which will be a bonus to the collector.