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 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.
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).
