This is a rather rare type of British service respirator, which I managed to secure for a more than reasonable price. It is also somewhat of an oddity, as I will detail below.

Modeled on the standard Mk IV service respirator, the Special T-Mic was a variant of the mask designed for use primarily by radio operators, although they were issued to men who wore spectacles as well. Prior to the introduction of the Mk V respirator, there was no provision on service masks for the attachment of a microphone. This was remedied with the ‘Special T’ model, which featured the addition of a microphone port on the left cheek of the facepiece. This was sealed with a bakelite plug when not in use.

This mask is a large size. The facepiece was made by Avon, as with many of these masks, and bears the manufacture date of 22nd December 1942, a very late date for this mask type. These respirators were declared largely obsolete in January 1943, when the Light Anti-Gas respirator first entered service. The Mk V remained in service, and was issued to left-handed shooters whose aiming was impeded by the side-mounted filter on the ‘L.A.G.’ mask.

The oddity in this case is the haversack. Most service respirator haversacks of this period feature a manufacturer and date stamp on the inside of the main flap, typically ‘W&G’ or ‘M&Co.’ This one is undated, and marked by the manufacturer ‘Siebe Gorman & Co.’ I have not previously encountered a haversack by this manufacturer, and was under the impression that they mainly produced civilian masks such as the Civilian Duty.

A very unusual addition to my service respirator collection.

Also worth noting, all British masks using the hose and ‘red brick’ filter combination contain crocidolite, or blue asbestos. I have sealed the mask as per the Imperial War Museum-recommended method, using PVA wood glue poured into the filter. This has created a plastic film across the inlet, and has rendered the mask safe for future generations of collectors to enjoy. All of my British gas masks undergo the same procedure.

Regards, B.B.