PMK-1

PMK-1
Second-generation PMK-1
Preceded by
Succeeded by	PMK-2
Made in	Soviet Union
Period	1988
Issued to	Military

The PMK is a gas mask adopted by the Soviet Union during the final years of the Cold War, and was later adopted by the Russian Armed Forces.

The PMK belongs to a family of masks which also includes the GP-7. The GP-7 is a civilian mask with circular lenses, as opposed to its military counterpart, the PMK, which has rounded triangular lenses.

Unlike many other Soviet masks, the PMK uses rubber straps that go around the wearer's head. Most other Soviet masks are of the 'helmet' style design, meaning they stretch entirely over the wearer's head.

The PMK uses the same GOST 40mm threaded (Kr40h4 in accordance with GOST 8762 -75) filters as most other Soviet masks. The PMK also has a drinking tube.

The initial production version of the PMK used a black rubber body, with the exposed metal components painted black. These PMKs are most commonly found on the surplus market.

Later first-generation PMKs have unpainted metal components. These PMKs are less frequently found on the surplus market.

Later versions of the PMK can mount a filter on either side of the mask, and are much rarer on the surplus market.

Two new models for the PMK family are in the prototype stages, both of them with a near full faced visor, one made of thick plastic the other of glass. The PMK-4 and PMK-5. Both of these have their own civilian models as well: The GP-10 and the GP-21 which are also in the prototype stages and have more of a duck bill shaped mouth piece.

PMK-1 Gas Mask

The PMK-1 Gas Mask is the standard-issue gas mask of the Russian Federation Armed forces during the late 80's to early 90's. It is designed to protect against NBC threats and was one of the first gas masks used by the Russians that departed from the helmet-style user interface similar to earlier masks like the PMG.

The PMK-1 gas mask.

Known to come in two variants, the PMK-1 was originally manufactured with all the metal parts colored black (oxidized); eyepiece frames, voice emitter as well as the ballistic lens outserts. A second version, also known as "GP-7VM" came later and featured light-gold colored metal parts (unpainted). This version is known to be more rare than the painted variant which was also exported under the trade name "Evirstar" line of protective gas mask products. The PMK-1 is the military version with the GP-7 mask (differentiated by the round lenses) is the civilian version of the mask.

A PMK-1 kit is known to contain the following items:

1.) Carry bag

2.) Gas mask

3.) Clear ballistic lens covers

4.) Hydrophobic knitted filter sock (used as a particulate filter and snow cover)

5.) GP-7 Combination Filter (in olive-drab color; uses GOST 40mm thread)

6.) Anti-fog inserts in a tin (rounded-triangular)

7.) Drinking bottle with shuttle valve cap (optional)

PMK-1s come in three sizes; small medium and large. These masks are readily identifiable by their rounded triangular lenses. The mask mounts a filter only on the right side of the cheek with the voice emitter and filter port secured to the mask by metal ring clamps. These ports do not use adhesives and as a result, with a certain degree of tinkering, the exhale valve and the intake port can be switched places. Drinking with the gas mask worn is made possible with the use of a drinking tube which is fixed on the mask and wraps around the voice emitter when not in use. Unlike other gas masks, the PMK-1 uses two exhale rubber discs which does increase exhale resistance to a certain extent but slightly improves protection. The filter mounts of the left side of the mask and interestingly, features an air passage that leads to the front of the user's mouth and nose. Since the PMK-1 does not have an oral nasal cup like most gas masks, it has the tendency to fog. The Russians solved this problem by including disposable anti-fog inserts which the user slides over the interior of the eyepiece lenses. These plastic inserts resist water droplet formation on its surface and can be useful if heavy breathing is expected to fog the lenses. Unfortunately for collectors, the poor packaging of the anti-fog inserts means that most existing kits'  inserts are no longer usable due to age, scratches, and formations on the surface of the plastic pieces. Due to advancements in design and materials, anti-fog inserts will no longer be used on the PMK-3. It is unclear what type of rubber was used to make the face piece but it appears to be butyl; which allows for a low-cost construction and resistance to acid gases (needs citation).

After several years of service, the PMK-1 would eventually be replaced by the PMK-2 respirator in the early 90s. Due to the PMK-1 mask being relatively similar to the PMK-3, it is still used today in Russia as a training gas mask.

It should be noted that a left-handed model of the PMK-1 respirator exists. It's slightly more rare compared to the right-handed model. This mask can be identified by the presence of the only filter port on the right cheek, instead of the left cheek (for shooting right-handed).

Gallery

Early production PMK.

One of the original protoypes for the PMK Series Gas Masks. As can be seen, it used a large cheek filter on the side, similar to the Chinese M65, but the idea was later scrapped for a 40mm filter inlet.

The PMK-1 Gas Mask in use with the Russian Military today. It is only used for training.

The PMK-2 and PMK-1 Gas Masks that are in use with the Russian Armed Forces today. Now only used for training.