III–A–2

The purpose of this facepiece is to project the eyes and respiratory organs of civilian personnel against air contaminated with toxic agents. It is used in conjunction with an attached canister.

No markings of any significance for identifying the facepiece are present. Manufactu-res and goverment markings are present, however, including the size number, 1, 2, or 3, on the fabric and or the rubber lining, and molded in the outer surface of the connecting piece.

The facepiece is of four layer fabric-rubber construction, the visible outer layer being of a field gray, coarse canvas material, and the visible inner layer, grayish number. The facepiece is sewn at the edges and joints, which are covered with rubber cement. The eyepiece are plastic or shatterproof glass and are held in place by threaded metal eye-piece rims. Spring metal fastening rings hold the anti-dim discs against the inner surfaces of the eyepieces. A suede leather fitting band and a chin strap are located on the inside of the facepiece. The head-harness has seven points of attachment to the face-piece, and consists of cotton tape and fabric covered coiled springs. A cotton tape carrying strap is attached to the lower edge of the facepiece.

A field gray painted cast metal connecting piece contains a mica type outlet valve assembly but no inlet valve, the latter being found in the neck of the box-type canister which is used with this facepiece. On the inner side of the outlet valve is a hard rubber disc holding the valve in place. The outlet valve is protected on the outside by the slot-ted metal connecting piece. A corrugated hose of fabric-rubber material is attached to the connecting piece by means of a threaded metal elbow. The other end of the hose is, in turn, screwed to a box-type canister.

III–A–2