Forgotten Weapons @lemmy.world FireTower @lemmy.world 7mo ago

Asbestos Mittens (1942)

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.

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Asbestos is such an amazing material that of course it had to also be one of the most toxic.
- I was tempted to nitpick and say it's not toxic, just carcinogenic, but Miriam-Webster does define toxic as harmful.
  
  And really only a problem if you breathe it. Quit breathing and you don't have to worry
  
  If you consume enough asbestos is absolutely is toxic
- I know right? It must have seemed like a miracle material. You can make fireproof fabrics and blankets, insulation bats, brake pads, ceramic tiles, roofing, even sheet rock for buildings. Its durable, UV safe, water resistant, pest-resistent, rot-resistent and machine workable. It doesnt require any complex chemistry to synthesise, you can just dig it right out of the ground.
  
  And its toxicity is so insidious. It doesnt kill or even make you sick right away. Not the next year even, like silicosis. No, the bastard waits 25-35 years, and then drowns you in your own self-destructing lung tissue.
  
  Such a legendary yet cursed material.
Asbestos mittens are still a part of standard commercial aircraft emergency equipment, by the way.

Saw a pilot put them on once during a walk-around on a particularly cold morning in CVG.
- Saw a pilot put them on once during a walk-around on a particularly cold morning in CVG.
  
  Ah, the great emergency of being slightly chilly.
- Hypothetically could you just wear latex under gloves and just be very careful about handling and cleaning yourself after use?
  
  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).
  
  The fibers can still break off while using them, and you can still inhale them.
  
  It still gets hot with the gloves on. I wouldn't want latex melting onto my hands
So if I'm going to glove slap somebody to start a dual, I should use these and take a few health points off first.
- Usually takes twenty years for asbestosis to set in, but if your not in a rush to start the duel, , ,

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