GP-4

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GP-4
Note that the sample depicted is a GP-4u
Preceded by	GP-2
Succeeded by	GP-5
Filter connection	40mm GOST
Made in	Soviet Union
Period	~1954-1974
Issued to	Civil Defence Civilians

The Soviet GP-4 (Russian: Гражданский Противогаз-4 — "Civilian Gas Mask-4") is a gas mask issued to Civil Defense and civilians in the Soviet Union.

Overview

The Soviet GP-4 is another mask in the Soviet GP series. It was made to be issued to civilians due to the rising panic about the Cold War. Like all other masks in the GP series, it has a simple inlet and exhale valve system along with eye lenses encapsulated in metal to keep it on the mask. The mask itself has a green rubber face-piece with straps of a lighter tint of green. The mask has flat, glass eye lenses with a common metal band found on the GP-5 and GP-6, but was abolished with the GP-7 and future models. The metal band is very interesting. It is round with a few bands going downward and it commonly has a mesh of some sort beneath. This mesh, however, isn't found on all of the GP-4's.

Production of the GP-4 started in 1954 and ended in 1974. The face piece's designation is M49 and it is issued with a "Coffee Can" type filter and is designated GP-4, it comes in either grey or brown; the common colors for coffee can type filters. Where the inlet valve is found is an irremovable hose (either with a rubber texture or grey canvas depending on if its an original or version U) kept in place by a darker grey band. The exhale valve is in a metal assembly, similar to the PDF-D but with a slight tint of tan. Because of the mask's simplistic design, it does toll the wearer by fogging up very easily as it does not have tissot tubes. Instead, it only has an inhale and exhale valve. Like other Cold War Era GP series masks, it comes with a green haversack with several pockets and one button.

From the 1950s to the 1970s, Poland produced its version of the mask for civilians under the license of the Soviet GP-4 gas masks with some modifications. Polish equivalents:

GP-4 -> Maska typu cywilnego / Polish GP-4

GP4u ->ML

GP-4u

The GP-4 and the GP-4u differ only in the hose attached to them: the GP-4 has a short, black hose, while the GP-4u has a longer, stockinette covered hose.

Popular Culture

In the video game series S.T.A.L.K.E.R. a mutated creature called a Snork can be seen wearing a gas mask mostly based on the GP-4.

Trivia

• GP-4's can create a "buzzing" noise, which is similar to snoring if used without a filter. This most likely has to do with the design of the exhale valve, which might vibrate when the airflow is much higher or the air resistance is much lower than when a filter is mounted onto the hose. It could also possibly be a quirk that develops with age, as the masks were made from the 1950s to the 1970s.

Gallery

GP-4 gas mask with its kit

This mask also had a rare gray variant, but no black versions were produced

The Inside Of the GP-4 Gas-Mask

The GP-4u with the Mask, GP-4u Canister (Not an EO-16 Canister), the Canvas Carrier Bag, and an Anti-Fog Pencil.

The GP-4u in use with a Soviet Nurse on the left. The others wear the GP-5.

The GP-4u with a gray canister.

Gp-4u without filter

An uncommon operators manual from 1956 for the GP-4U

Snork for S.T.A.L.K.E.R.

GP-4u filters