Basic gear from mid-twentieth-century Spain: Other manufacturers

[David Wilson]

And here is the Industrias River 5001 model:

Here the caption identifies the mask as being a youngster's model with a semicircular lens. So an oval design with the same features as the 4001, including the unusual buckles.

A real-life example of the 5001:

 

[David Wilson]

The 5001 also came in red:

More Industrias River masks midweek.

 

[Popgun Pete]

A lot of these patents are effectively a "don't sell in my backyard" notice. Often the inventor has just produced his own rip-off version to rush down to the patent office in his own country after seeing the product elsewhere. International patents blew the bottom out of this practice.

 

[David Wilson]

I'm sure you are right, Pete.

The Industrias River 6001 diving mask:

The caption tells us that the model is a semicircular mask designed for deeper diving. The ribs on the skirt is intended ro confirm that the 6001 is built for depth. The higher quality of the product is also reflected in the presence of the metal rim with top screw and the split headstrap.

 

[David Wilson]

The Industrias River 8001 diving mask:

So a round model without a metal rim or a split strap. More of an economy line.

 

[David Wilson]

The 9001 Industrias River diving mask:

The caption identifies this model as being designed for swimming (natación) rather than diving. "Respiración externa" (external breathing) confirms that this model, unlike a snorkel-mask offers no possibility of nasal breathing.

Back at the weekend with some Industrias River breathing tubes.

 

[David Wilson]

So on to Industrias River snorkels.

Model 1000

A J-shaped breathing tube with a snorkel keeper in the centre and a standard lugged mouthpiece at the demand end.

 

[David Wilson]

Model 1003

A version with a U-bend at the supply and the demand end, otherwise resembling Model 1000. The upper U-bend may have reduced water entry and enabled a shut-off valve to be added.

 

[David Wilson]

Model 1006

Fitted with a ball valve to shut off water entry when submerged. Note the construction of this valve to be attached to a J-shaped snorkel rather than the S-shaped one shown previously.

More breathing tubes midweek.

 

[David Wilson]

Three more Industrias River snorkels.

Model 1011

This J-shaped breathing tube has a standard lugged mouthpiece on the demand end, a snorkel keeper at the centre of the barrel and a splash cap valve at the supply end. The latter device performs the same function as its counterpart on a semi-dry modern-style snorkel. The inside of the cap valve will resemble the workings of the following British-made Typhoon T1 snorkel:

Air passes through the holes in the alloy barrel when the valve is above the surface and water will follow when it dips below the surface. The cap serves to keep out water splashes when the sea is choppy.

Here is an image from 1954 showing the "T1" in use underwater:

The picture shows air being expelled from the top of the snorkel while the swimmer is under water.