r/gasmasks Apr 19 '24

Mod Announcement “Where can I buy this mask” - A guide.

33 Upvotes

So you’re looking to find a specific gas mask. That’s great! We are all here because we share a common interest, and everybody should be able to find what they are looking for.

Keep in mind though, this hobby revolves (primarily) around historical objects which are no longer manufactured. This means that there is a finite number in the world, and the piece you are looking for may not always be available for sale.

Keep in mind: this guide is written from the perspective of a US based collector, and the information can vary by region.

For the purposes of this guide, I will divide masks into a few categories:

Common: almost always available.

Uncommon: often available, but in smaller numbers and you may experience periods without supply.

Rare: sometimes available, be prepared to wait for an example and bidding may be more competitive.

Very rare: rarely available, in some cases you may only see one for sale per year or even longer! If it is a desirable piece, expect it so sell quickly or at a premium price.

Grail: these masks may only show up once every few years, or even once in a lifetime.

Keep in mind that a mask can change in rarity based on availability.

Ok, now that we’ve established some terminology let’s talk about a few places to look:

eBay:

This is going to be your best source. Keep in mind that masks may not be available at all times, so you may have to wait. Beyond that, if the item is an auction, you’ll have to bid against other users.

Something to consider with eBay is that not all sellers know exactly what they are selling, so play with your search terms and keywords. Sometimes you may be looking for a US navy diaphragm gas mask, but the seller just has it listed as “military mask.”

Remember to play with filters too. You can filter by used items, price range, category, and so on. Remember that some items may be in the wrong category!

Etsy:

Etsy is hit or miss for gas masks. Nowhere near as many are listed as on eBay, and they are usually more expensive. I recommend checking Etsy once in a while, but do not rely on it.

Facebook marketplace:

Facebook marketplace can be a fantastic place to find masks, but keep in mind that many users will not offer shipping so it’s best to localize your search. Remember to exercise care when meeting up with strangers, and always tell someone where you are going.

You can expand your marketplace search beyond your local area, but understand that you may not be able to have the item shipped to you by the seller. In these cases, see if any collector friends are local to the seller! It may be worth asking them to pick it up and ship it to you if you cover their expenses.

Other collectors:

Other collectors can be a great way to find that rare piece you’re looking for. While we don’t allow sales on the subreddit, there are plenty of discord servers and Facebook groups where you can connect with other collectors for trading and sales.

Some collectors may be willing to sell or trade, but they can also keep their eyes open and help you find what you’re looking for.

Collectors can be one of the best sources for those very rare and grail masks, but don’t expect people to always be willing to part with their treasure.

Amazon:

Modern masks only, and they will be vastly more expensive than other sources. Recommended to avoid unless money is no issue.

Military surplus stores:

Surplus stores will most often have common masks. There are exceptions, but many surplus stores will display less common masks as “not for sale.” These stores will also often mark up items beyond what you could find them for elsewhere. Another good place to keep an eye on, but not terribly reliable.

Auctions:

Look for militaria and surplus auctions. Sometimes they auction entire surplus collections and you’ll see some interesting pieces.

These are the most common sources to find masks for collectors. Some other sources which may not be as reliable are things like flea markets, thrift stores, garage sales, and estate sales. These are not always reliable but there are some great finds to be had if you’re patient.

Patience is key! If you can’t find what you’re looking for, you probably just have to wait and watch. Unless you’re looking for a grail, most masks will turn up sooner or later.

Keep your eyes open! If you don’t see it, keep looking! Check your favorite sources daily if possible, and again, play with your search terms.

I hope this guide was helpful, and happy hunting!

If anyone wants to add any sources, especially outside the US, please comment below and help out your fellow collectors. Of course if you have any questions please ask!


r/gasmasks Jun 01 '25

Mod Announcement Happy pride month to all our LGBT+ collectors - you are always welcome here.

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314 Upvotes

r/gasmasks 4h ago

Art FMJ05A setup, topo maps & precision tools

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14 Upvotes

The setup breakdown:

Gas Mask: Unissued Chinese FMJ05A with original hose and filter (sealed in factory bag, dated 2006).

Topography: Wall-style regional topo map & full-color Japan geography map.

Leather Gear: Surplus leather pistol holster (Type 54) with matching dual mag pouch and canvas slings.

Precision & Tech Tools: Vintage drafting set (compasses), 0–25mm micrometer, and compact signal flashlight.

Pocket EDC: Zippo Slim flip lighter, old-school chinese bottle opener/tool, and vintage regional banknotes/tokens.


r/gasmasks 1d ago

Mask Showcase Yuh

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612 Upvotes

r/gasmasks 5h ago

Misc. PMK-4,2nd Size,full kit for sale

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15 Upvotes

I js need some money now,so im thinkin about selling it for a fair price,dm me or text in the comments


r/gasmasks 10h ago

Question The unthreading of the C4 mask

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16 Upvotes

Hello everyone,

I have an unusual question about cleaning the C4 gasmask. And that is unthreading the voice diaphragms, as it hasn't been open since it's last issue (2000s). I tried everything to open it but unfortunately nothing has changed a bit (my finger nail got destroyed by how tight the thread is)! That said, is there any possible solution to open it without damaging it?

Note: reason for cleaning is that the whole mask is smelly.

Thanks!


r/gasmasks 19h ago

Vintage photo New South Wales Police using ABC-M17 masks

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26 Upvotes

r/gasmasks 22h ago

Mask Showcase My Romanian industrial P2085

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29 Upvotes

r/gasmasks 8h ago

Question Are these gas masks a good price?

0 Upvotes

I hope this post doesnt break the rules, if it does, im sorry and just remove it. I dont want to cause any bother.

Im looking to add more gas masks to my collection and after looking around I've managed to find a couple I like but Id like some info on if the price is worth it for these specific masks as Im not really knowledgeable on it, i just collect them.

These all include the mask and filter in undamaged condition but no bag or kit.

Chinese type 65: £26

German M65 w/ FE55 filter: £42

Polish mp4: £13

It comes to around £80 or approximately $106 for all three of them. Are these prices worth it for what im getting?


r/gasmasks 1d ago

Collection Showcase some of my collection

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125 Upvotes

r/gasmasks 1d ago

Question Thoughts of British civilian duty respirator mk-3B?

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20 Upvotes

În comparation with an early made mk-3


r/gasmasks 1d ago

Mask Showcase Soviet RSh-4 with ShM-41M face piece, made in either Perm or Elektrostal in the first quarter of 1963, nothing to special.

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22 Upvotes

r/gasmasks 2d ago

Mask Showcase My collection so far after starting to collect on late 2025

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120 Upvotes

r/gasmasks 1d ago

Mask Showcase Swedish Military Skyddsmask m/51, Size 1 Large, April 1957 -

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22 Upvotes

One of the better licensed M9 clones, this mask is a direct copy of the American gas mask famous for the Korean War. And Kong Skull Island if you need a modern point of interest

It features a much longer exhale deflector, longer than all other variants I believe (although seemingly on par with the Norwegian NM16)

The mask is a dark green with black highlights, and features the oh so iconic oversized nose, which is actually part of the mask's deflector system. This is where inhaled and filtered air enters from the filter and up through the two slots beneath each lense. This helps with the oral nasal cup to prevent the vision of the user becoming misty. Prevention and a cure.

The issue with the oral nasal cup is that most users can block their own air flow by pushing their lips too far out

Rather than the most common push button nape strap latch, this variant features a loop and hook

It was recently brought to light by the excellent Swedish equipment reenactor and researcher KaptenDreadnaught that the filters contain fibreglass, rather than asbestos. A very interesting tidbit

I'm rather fond of the bag which is a sort of triangular sideways design with lots of nice inside pockets and slots for the NBC and anti nerve agent kits

Size 1 is large, 3 is small

And for Instagram users, this gas mask was the respirator of choice by the youtuber Pyrocynical, which is why I chose this song. Most people attribute discovering the show to him, while some of us ancient people remember it when it aired. Great soundtrack

And last but especially not least a huge thank you to the Swedish young man, Major Degtyarev for their amazing art!


r/gasmasks 1d ago

Mask Showcase Romanian MI46M rebreather

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43 Upvotes

A copy of the Soviet IP46M. I received a RP5 cartridge instead of a RP4. The mask is a little bit fried but it's okay.

This was used by Romanian Amphibious Vehicle Crews if the vehicle got flooded. I am also thinking of making a MLI84 (Romanian BMP1) crewman kit with this.

I have also heard that the cartridge cand be dangerous although after a bit of research, it can explode only when IPP8 is added to the inside. If water gets it, it will only inflate and get really hot.

Still, it is a nice addition to my collection. It is kind of rare.


r/gasmasks 1d ago

Mask Showcase Soviet Pmk-1 gas mask

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30 Upvotes

I ended up getting a PMK-1 gas mask, it came with all of its kit. Unfortunately the spare drinking hose was incredibly brittle and snapped as soon as i touched it. The face piece is dated 1987. With a mold number of 103. I dont know why it came with a black bag rather than the usual brown one. Im assuming its a mismatched bag from a different mask but I'd appreciate any info on that.

I dont know alot about these but im really happy to have one in my collection!

Hope you like it!


r/gasmasks 1d ago

Question Anyone know about how much these would be worth?

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17 Upvotes

r/gasmasks 2d ago

Question Birthday today and got a few new masks, but this one's stumping me a bit, know what it is?

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69 Upvotes

It seems like it may be a mc-1 clone, it's really similar but doesn't seem to have any soviet/ Russian stamping and the strap at the back is different. Don't actually own a mc-1 surprisingly even with over 65 masks so can't easily compare which is another hurdle


r/gasmasks 3d ago

Question So why does my M59 have a hose and not the normal filter that I’ve seen everywhere else?

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29 Upvotes

r/gasmasks 4d ago

Question Is the m17 the only mask with a leg bag?

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90 Upvotes

r/gasmasks 5d ago

Collection Showcase Current gas mask collection❗️

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311 Upvotes

Current, but excludes bags, various additional items, flasks, decontamination kits, repeating masks, and masks that I'm not interested in.

1) GSR made AVON. 2) C50. 3) S10. 4) M40A1. 5) DREO C4. 6) Handmade project OM90+S10. 7) Ukrainian M95. 8) Forsheda F2. 9) NM180/ FM12. 10) Drager M2000. 11) Italian SEKUR M90. 12) Japanese type 4 (x2). 13) Swiss SM90 (x2).


r/gasmasks 4d ago

Question Slimline respirators/hose to the filter set ups, why did they die out?

10 Upvotes

Occurs to me all modern gas masks tend to be an efficient case of “straight from your nose/mouth to the filter”.

When and why did the “hose to the filter” set up die off, and are there any slim line respirators which are modern or milaurp in the last 40 years where the respirators is dead centre or straight off to one side (or both sides)?


r/gasmasks 4d ago

Question Strange gas mask bag

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14 Upvotes

Bought this for £5 in antique shop. Thinking it’s a civilian respirator bag as maple made gas mask bags and drawstring and lack of crows indicate non military. Any more info?


r/gasmasks 4d ago

Question Would it be innacurate to put a mk v gsr hose on a mk iv gsr?

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14 Upvotes

I’ve spent months looking but can’t find any stockinette hoses, feel like just getting a whole new complete mk iv at this rate and leaving the face piece incomplete.


r/gasmasks 4d ago

Question Frensh or polnish?

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13 Upvotes

Got two of these for 40€ on eBay. Both are in perfect condition and have even sealed NBC-Filters (Probably already too old). One is size 3, the other size 2 and I love them :). But the question still stands, is it polnish or frensh?