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ASC Whetlerite Method Filters listed in this article are known to contain Type ASC Whetlerite activated carbon, which can leak carcinogenic Chromium VI and Ammonia. Refrain from using the filter, especially if it is leaking charcoal or smells of ammonia (pungent, irritating). If damaged, dispose accordingly by the laws and regulations of your government. |
Overview:[]
The US CD V-800 (sometimes known as "M16") was originally developed for Non-Combatant Civilian usage on US Military installations as the E51R15-11-22R1 Non-combatant Mask in about 1950 by the United States Chemical Corps. The design was eventually handed down to the US Office of Civil Defense in 1955 due to the design failing Army requirements. The mask was finalized December 1957 and issued to civilian defense workers as the M16 Civilian mask. The CD V-800 would be deemed obsolete in 1975.
Developmental History:[]
Early Developmental History:[]
The concept of the E51 non-combatant mask was deemed a requirement in 1948. The United States Army wanted a cheap rugged reusable mask to issue to non-combatant civilian personnel in military installations. The mask would have to conform to all military standards. Development of the E51 led to its final developmental variant as the E51R15 in about 1950. Originally, the mask was to be produced in 6 sizes (XXSmall-XLarge) so that it could fit any non-combatant civilian from the ages of 4-adults. The army experimented with the design but ultimately decided it did not meet their requirements. It was not as durable as the M9, nor did it perform well in cold climates, with the lens having major fogging issues. These shortcomings led the US Army to begin developing the E52 non-combat protective mask series in 1951. The Army officially dropped the E51R15 from its requirements in 1955.
The E51R15-E55-E22R1 variant of the E51R15 from when it was still in US Army testing.
Experimental Variations:[]
3 known variants of the E51R15 were fielded when it was being tested by the US Army. These 3 variants were the E51R15-E55-E22R1, E51R15-3R3-22R1, and E51R15-11-22R1. The only differences in the kits were the canisters used. These canisters were: The E55, E3R3, and the M11
Civil Defense Adoption:[]
The US Office of Civil Defense really liked the concept of the E51R15 non-combat mask from their own testing of the prototype in the early 1950's. It met all of their requirements needed as a cost convenient, reusable protective mask for CD worker use. Upon the discarding of the E51R15 from the US Army's requirements in 1955, the Civil Defense decided they wanted to produce a limited quantity for use by their own CD personnel. This led to the classification of the E51R15-11-22R1 variant as the CD V-800 the same year as the Civil Defense awarded a production contract to the Firestone Tire & Rubber company.
Production:[]
The E51R15 Non-Combatant Mask entered production as the CD V-800 in late 1956. The mask was manufactured by the Firestone Tire & Rubber Company at their Fall River Massachusetts plant. Firestone was contracted to produce 43,000 E51R15s for the Office of Civil Defense in 1955. Production was delayed until late 1956 due to assembly line retooling and production complications related to mass production of the face blank. The tooling Firestone had received was not capable of mass production effectively. Barely any E51s were made in 1956, with the majority being produced in 1957. The original production deadline was scheduled for July 1957, but minor production complications pushed back the estimated contract completion date to November 1957. The contract deadline was later pushed back further due to labor union strikes at Firestones Fall River Massachusetts plant manufacturing the masks. Firestone would complete its 43,000 E51R15 production contract in December 1957. No further production of the CD V-800 was made after the initial contract was completed. The E51R15 would eventually be standardized on the 12th of December 1957 as the M16.
The CD V-800 was kept in OCD inventory until 1975. It was used alongside the CD V-805 when it was adopted in 1960 for general population use. The CD V-800 would be issued to CD workers, whereas the CD V-805 would be for the general civilian population.
CD V-800:[]
Early E51R15 with the M11 filter and the E22R1 carrier from the collection of Pentapix Collections
E51R15 (M16) Face Piece:[]
The CD V-800s face blank is made from a flat sheet of stockinette coated in GRS type Styrene rubber on both sides. The rubberized sheet is then sewn into the shape of the mask. It is the same tested production method used on the MI series non-combatant masks from WWII. User vision is provided through a clear vinyl plastic lens sewn into the front of the face blank. Air is inhaled through a 60mm port fitted on the direct front of the mask. The 60mm port is identical to the type used on the M9. Air is exhaled through a E17R1 exhalation valve mounted on the side of the face piece. A tight user fit is provided by a triangular sewn M4 harness assembly. (Although the production M16 would have had a C8R1 harness) The full production cost of the mask and components in 1957 was $9.50. ($108.63 in 2025)
M11 Filter Canister:[]
The CD V-800 was issued with the M11 Combat canister. The exact same type used with the M9 series Field Protective Masks. The CD V-800 was often packaged and issued with WWII-interwar era M11 canisters. The exact reasoning is currently unknown, but it is assumed to be the U.S Army wanting use up older stocks of filter canisters. The M11 canister typically comes sealed with the mask in a metal or fiberboard container.
E22R1 (M14) Carrier:[]
The E22R1 carrier is made of a mildew-proof cheap duck cotton canvas material and utilizes a simple shoulder strap to carry it. The carrier is held shut by a 2-stage pull-the-dot fastener. On the carrier the words "MASK, PROTECTIVE, NONCOMBAT *E51R15-11-22R1* CD V-800" (*not all carriers were stamped with the experimental designation) along with the size number were written as a way of identifying the mask. The production M14 carrier would have gotten rid of 1 of the 2 snap-fasteners on the bag.
Sizing:[]
The CD V-800 came in 4 sizes ranging from 3(Small)-6(Extra Large). the 1-2 sizes were ditched when the Civil Defense got ahold of the design. This was because the mask was only going to be produced and issued to Civil Defense workers. So the child sizes were not needed.
CD V-800 Kit:[]
The Full kit for this mask contained the M16 facepiece, M14 carrier, M11 filter canister, M1 anti-dim cloth, and the fiberboard face form. The M1 anti-dim cloth included with the kit is very common of other US masks of the era, it is a impregnated cloth contained in a metal tin. In order to use the Anti-Dim cloth, the user must moisten their finger tips, rub the interior of the lens with their fingertips, then vigorously wipe the anti-dim cloth on the lens until dry.
Law Enforcement Use:[]
A CD V-800 being used by an officer of the Minneapolis Minnesota Police Department during a protest during the Vietnam War.
During the Vietnam War, many CD V-800s were given to various police departments by the OCD for use in riot control situations. The most notable examples being state troopers of the Ohio State Highway Patrol wearing them as protection from riot control agents during crowd dispersal efforts during the Kent State Protests. The Minneapolis Minnesota Police Department have also been seen in historical photographs using the CD V-800 for riot control agent protection.
Sources/Further Reading:[]
History of the Army Protective Mask from the US Army Soldier and Biological Chemical Command