These mittens would be used to handle machine gun barrels while changing from an overheated barrel for a new one during prolonged firing.

These particular ones were to be used with the American m1919a6 .30 caliber machine gun.

  • CptEnder@lemmy.world
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    8 months ago

    Hypothetically could you just wear latex under gloves and just be very careful about handling and cleaning yourself after use?

    • Dettweiler@lemmy.world
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      8 months ago

      The danger comes more from inhalation of particles that break off. The asbestos fire gloves contain the asbestos laced fabric sheathed inside cloth material to help contain the particles. They’re also considered consumable, because handling something on fire will likely destroy the outer fabric (for example, a lithium battery powered device combusting, and placing it into a fire-safe bag).

      • CptEnder@lemmy.world
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        8 months ago

        Interesting why not just use Nomex instead then? I guess they’re a lot more expensive.

        • Tar_Alcaran@sh.itjust.works
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          8 months ago

          They’re only almost-as-good. Nomex is great against fire, but it melts around 250 C, which asbestos (being basically a rock) doesn’t. I’m guessing that if you’re in a big metal tube surrounded by metal parts that you may need to touch for a while, 250 degrees C is not all that high.

          Interestingly, with how tightly asbestos is regulated nowadays, it’s not really all that cheap. Assuming you don’t buy them directly from kazachstan, asbestos gear is pretty expensive.

      • Tessellecta@feddit.nl
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        8 months ago

        If you mean pure latex gloves, you should be fine. Latex starts to melt at 180 degrees Celsius. Meaning that if the gloves are melting, your hands would have been fucked with or without the Latex.

        • sic_semper_tyrannis@feddit.ch
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          8 months ago

          I wasn’t aware of that. Good to know. Now a days I think latex free gloves are more common but I also don’t know the melting point of those