Iraqi M1 gas mask

Small sized M1 gas mask made from green rubber. A pair of clear Perspex lens are secured to the rubber face by green metal clamps. The lower front of the gas mask has a circular outlet valve. Around this valve is glued a thin piece of grey fabric tape. Over the end of this inlet is a green rubber flap. There is no cheek filter attached to the left side of the gas mask which exposes a circular gold coloured inlet. Behind this filter inlet is moulded into the rubber 'M-59' and a 'S' within a circle below. On the rear of the gas mask are six black elasticised adjustable straps, one of which is attached to a torn piece of rubber. A rectangular piece of black cotton webbing supports the six rubber elasticised supports. The inside surfaces of the gas mask are dimpled.

This Iraqi M1 gas mask was found during a Sensitive Site Exploitation of Al Asad Air Force base by the Special Air Service Regiment (SASR), 4 Battalion Royal Australian Regiment Commando (4RAR CDO) and the Incident Response Regiment (IRR) element on 15 April 2003. The Yugoslavian (Serbian) M1 gas mask is a copy of the US M9 gas mask. While a different color rubber was used to manufacture the mask, the overall design is an exact copy of the M9. The M1 was also issued in a similar carrying satchel. The M1 was used during the 1991 Gulf War and evidently was still in service in 2003.