The MC-1 is a polish copy of the Czech CM-3. It was destined for Polish Army and Civil Defense, but adopted only by the second formation and used till the end of Cold War.
Mask[]
It was made from olive-tan rubber. The original CM-3 has the inlet/exit valve out of brown bakelite. Whereas the MC-1 has a black plastic inlet/exit valve assembly and an olive green fabric 6 point headstrap. The eyepieces are glass, held on with crimped metal and fabric. Air enters the mask via Tissot tubes and exits through the exhale valve. The exhale valve housing contains a metal mesh covering it, it also has a thin plastic disc behind the metal mesh. The plastic disc is thin and slightly translucent. The filter that comes with the mask was a light grey GOST canister known as the MS-4.
Filters[]
MC-1 was issued to civil defense with MS-3 and MS-4 filters. In the mid-90s, the earlier filters were replaced with P-5 filters. In industry it was used with P22/1-w and other types of filters or FP-203 and FW-2131 filters but the original industrial kit did not come with any filters.
Use in breathing apparatusses[]
MC-1 was a part of all open circuit isolating apparatusses made in Poland, that is: AZ-2M, AT-4M, AJ-3M and AS-3M. In earlier versions of those appliances a GSP-M or an Ma-1 / Ma-1M was included.
Other versions[]
The FASER company has proved that MC-1 was produced using 4 different faceblanks. Different to the most known CM-3 style faceblank is a ML's (Polish GP-4 clone) faceblank. This version lacks the Tissot tubes and is similar to Ma-1 gas mask. It was made from really flexible rubber. It seems like it's much more rare than a regular MC-1.
Bag[]
Comes with two paint variants: Light green and Camo wz. 68 "Mora". Meant to be carried on shoulder belt but thanks to unnoticeable weight can lay only on chest belt. Bag consists of one bag for gas mask and filter and outside pouch for a field patch.
Gallery[]
Problems[]
A small but annoying problem with the MC-1 is the outlet valve adhering to the plastic and not opening. It compromises the seal as well as making a loud snorting noise, similar to the GP-4 when it is being worn. This problem is usually fixed after a few deep breaths in and out. But if it’s a matter of life and death, it’s a major problem.
References[]
English industrial MC-1 kit manual: https://gasmaskarchiwum.page/instrukcjamc1indueng.php
Polish industrial MC-1 manual: https://gasmaskarchiwum.page/katalog/php/mc1.php