The Tautas gāzmaska is a Latvian copy of the German VM37. The mask was intended for civilian use.
Mask overview[]
The mask is made of a chemically resistant rubber, it features a pull-over hood with a nape strap, crimped on glass lenses, a flapper exhale valve and a plastic 40mm DIN threaded intake. Inside the mask, a cotton ring for absorbing moisture placed around the intake.
The faceblank is constructed from multiple separate rubber pieces - the single piece rubber facemask with separately molded on angled eye lens holders and the two piece rubber hood. All of these parts are to be cemented together to create the full rubber faceblank. Molding seams are visible at the top of the hood, between the facemask and hood and inside the mask around the eyepieces. These faceblanks would either be manufactured by Kvadrāts or Meteors rubber factories.
The rubber faceblanks would later be fully assembled with threaded inlets and lenses by VEF (Valsts elektrotehniskā Fabrika - State Electrical Factory) in Riga.
The mask came in 3 sizes;
"vīriešu" (men - biggest size) marked as V;
"sieviešu" (women - medium size) marked as S;
"bērnu" (children - smallest size) marked as B.
Filter[]
The Tautas gāzmaska was used together with a cylindrical 40mm DIN threaded metal filter. These filters were also manufactured by VEF. A VEF logo and manufacturing year can be found stamped into the front of the filter shell. On top of the filter, a taped on piece of paper with lot numbers.
Earlier types of these filters are more primitively constructed, featuring a filter shell with rougher edges, a flatter bottom and top.
Carrier and kit[]
The mask came in a cardboard box with the manual on the inside lid. Interestingly, the kit did not contain a bag or any other carrier which could be used for everyday use, but the box has a handle. The mask was stuffed with a cardboard frame and with the filter during storing. The kit also contained an anti-fogging soap in a transparent red vial and a register book.
External information[]
The masks were assembled by Valsts elektrotehniskā Fabrika (Latvian: State-Electrical Factory) in Riga.
The rubber faceblanks were made by Kvadrāts or Meteors.
Photos[]
