The M10 was one of many Warsaw Pact clones of the M17 mask, and was issued to Czechoslovakian People's Army and East German's National People’s Army, after the Cold War it was replaced in Czechia by M90.
M10[]
The Czechoslovakian M10 is heavily inspired by the US M17, but has many clear differences. The exhale system is different, having a metal housing with the exhale pointing directly outwards. Instead of the M17 style exhale, where the valve is covered by rubber and forced out through the bottom of the housing. The filter openings are larger and threaded. The head harness varies as the M10 head harness is made of a thicker grey elastic fabric with a rubber head pad and large rubber pull tabs. The M17's outserts have been found to fit with M10, but are noticeably smaller, and the filters are not interchangeable between the masks. Due to the different inhale sizes, and cap attachments. The M10 mask was used by both Czechoslovakia and East Germany, and remains in use today by the Czech Republic.
M10M[]
The M10M is an upgraded model of the M10, which entered production in the early 1980s. Changes encompass the head harness, the voice diaphragm/exhale system. Which was changed to a large grey plastic piece, with the words “m10m” on it along with a "M1" style drinking tube wrapped around the assembly with a rubber flap folding over it.
Carrier[]
The carrier comes in 3 types; a cloth haversack, a tarp-like dark green bag, and a vinyl bag.
Hood[]
The NVA had multiple hoods made for the M10M, little to no information is known about them and it appears to have been made to copy the M17 style hood. They made a Strichtarn and a rubberized version.
Rebreather[]
There is a rebreather unit for this mask, called the ZP-10. The hoses, stated below are used for those. The rebreather was intended to be used for escape purposes only, at depths of 10 meters or shallower. The rebreather weighs 12 kg, and can provide 4 additional litters of air.
Hoses for the M10 were used to connect to central air ventilation in bunkers. A similar hose was also used with the ZP-10 rebreather.
Users[]
Czechoslovakia[]
Československá Lidová Armáda (Czechoslovak People's Army)
It was the main mask of the army. It was used with OPCH-70, FOP-85 and OPCH-90 chemical suits.
East Germany[]
Nationale Volksarmee (DDR People's Army)
East Germany used both M10 and M10M masks but the M10M was more common. It was used with SBA-1 and SBA-2 chemical suits. After the German reunification the NVA was merged into the Bundeswehr and the soldiers were retrained for the M65. East Germany used 2 different types of hoods with the M10 type masks. These consisted of a controversial Strichtarn hood which is not yet confirmed to be real and the rubber SBK-10.
Czech Republic[]
Armáda České republiky (Czech Republic Army)
The Czech Republic is still using the mask, mostly for training.
Slovakia[]
Ozbrojené sily Slovenskej Republiky (Slovak Armed Forces)
The same as in the Czech Republic.
External information[]
Surplus[]
The M10(M) is very popular among the surplus market, preppers, and collectors of sorts. The mask can be found around the internet for low prices, especially for the full set.
Popular Culture[]
The M10M mask was likely popularized by the popular video game DayZ where there is an item called the "Combat Gas Mask", representing an M10M gas mask.