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L12A1/PS10 filter[]
Developed some time in the mid to late 1980s to replace the L10A1 filter the L12A1 was one of the earliest plastic bodied filters and was also significantly heavier than its predecessors at 315 grams when in use. L12A1s had a 10 year shelf life and were rated when in date as CBRN. L12A1s also saw use with police forces in Britain around the 1990s early 2000's when the S10 was commonly used for police CBRN duties. The L12A1 was developed between 1983 and 1987 by Protector Safety Ltd in order to meet a new specification issued in early 1987.The first order was placed in October 1987 with delivery from March 1988. It is believed to be the first plastic military respirator filter to be produced. The second order in mid 1988 was placed with Sabre Safety Ltd.
The L12A1's service life saw use in the gulf war and war on terror they were completely phased out upon the full scale adoption of the GSR by 2014 with the last confirmed lot being made in 2010 meaning all are now expired (as of 2021).
L12A1s are safe to use so long as they are not leaking as the charcoal used in L12A1s was impregnated with hexavalent chromium, while this compound isn't anywhere near the danger level of Asbestos it is still advised not to get it in your lungs.
L12A1 Training filters[]
L12A1 filters used for training are regular L12A1s which have been marked red via means of paint, tape and stickers for use in training only. There is no difference between the internals of a training filter to a regular issue filter.
Blue L12A1 filters[]
Known to be used in Porton Down and other non combat operation uses these are a very rare variant of L12A1 where the upper portion of the filter body has been moulded in a light blue colour. These were only ever made by Protector Technologies Ltd.
Strangely Blue L12A1 filters commonly appear sporadically in America, it is unknown but assumed that American law enforcement bought blue L12A1 filters.
Packaging[]
L12A1 filters came vaccume sealed in a foil like NBC resistant material, its not easy to find one with the seal still in tact due to a simple knock being able to puncture the packaging. Packaging came in two variations, early reflective with resistance information printed in red and the later plain matte silver.
Disclaimer: This article isn't complete and information is currently scarce, research is currently ongoing into the L12A1/PS10 and the L10A1 filter that preceded it.
L10A1[]
Used during trials of the S10 and before development & adoption of L12A1, also seemingly copied and used by the Pakistanis with the PAK10. L10A1s had a shelf life of 10 years. The outer shell of the L10A1 is aluminium & some type of hard plastic, the internal construction is currently unknown but assumed to be similar to the Mk.2 No.1. L10A1 filters came in boxes of 6 vaccume sealed in a similar type of foil that its successor the L12A1 used.
Last confirmed L10A1 batches were produced in 1988, however service life was almost certainly not until 1998. Photo evidence suggests use ceased sometime after the gulf war (latest confirmed photo is from 1993).
L10A1's strangely had the date of production written on them with a silver marker, even more odd is most have been scratched off the reasons for both things are unknown.
Mk.2 No.1[]
Place Holder
Please credit all photos in this article to DKVG/Durov unless otherwise stated.