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 OM-90.
M-10[]
The Czechoslovakian OM10 (commonly incorrectly referred to as the 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 Army as a training mask but is getting replaced by OM-90.
M-10M[]
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.
Filters[]
The LF-10 filters (lícnicový filtr 10 in czech or cheeck filter 10 in english) was issued with the M-10 and M10-M masks since their adoption. there are two versions of filtering elements- First being chemical warfare protective but it doesn't´t/didn't´t protect biological and radiological weapons. Second type, which was introduced around the same time as second type of packaging, is meant for riot and possibly biological and radiological agents. Filters came in clear plastic and in later stages aluminum foil, chemical warfare agent filter came in both types of packaging and riot agent filter came in the later version.
Carrier[]
The carrier comes in 4 types; a cloth haversack, two pocket haversack, a tarp-like dark green bag and a vinyl bag (between the last two versions there is possibly experimental version of same material like the late carrier but is using button ).
Chemical protective suits[]
M-10 and M-10M mask had many ´chemical´ suits that were specifically created for them.
OPCH-70[]
OPCH-70 was general issue chemical protective suit designed for M-10 specifically and later M-10M but there weren't any changes to the suit. It replaced older VZ-51/55 chemical protective suits. It was developed around the same time as M-10 (1959-1968 for mask and for suit 1959-1969) and was approved for use in 1969 and entered production in 1970. Suit was replaced by FOP-85 in active service and used in special purpose role with chemical warfare units until 2008 in . Kit consisted of bag(similar to first pattern om-10 carrier) , gloves and under gloves, belt, VZ-58 mag pouch, VZ-58 bayonet pouch, cooling over suit made out of brown canvas, special under wear and repair kits.
FOP-85[]
FOP-85 is what seems to be a loose copy of the United States CPOG (chemical-protective-over garment). Its testing started around year of 1980 and was approved for use somewhere in 1984 and entered production in 1985. It was replaced by FOP-96 but is still being used as training suit.
Hoods[]
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.
ZP-10 SCBA[]
There is a SCBA (often incorrectly called rebreather, even though there is no connection of exhaled air to the system) unit for this mask, called the ZP-10. The hoses, stated below are used for those. The scba was intended to be used for escape purposes only, at depths of 10 meters or shallower. The scba system 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.
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.
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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 was still using the mask, in servise untill late 2008 but now its used for training in small numbers.
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 nearly (mostly late czech)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.
Sid Wilson, the DJ of the american nu-metal band slipknot wore the OM10M for one photo [1]
Gallery[]
