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

[David Wilson]

Thanks for the likes, Luis. Now for Clasal Santarin breathing tubes. "Saltarin" is Spanish for "jumping, bouncing, hopping, frolicking": make of that what you will when the word is applied to snorkels, but it may have been chosen either because the breathing tube goes up and down in the water or because the ball in a ball valve breathing tube does so. The Clasal Saltarin:

Spanish: "RESPIRADOR SALTARIN Completo Ref. 500. Respirador con boya. Para todas las edades, de facil manejo. De opturacién en la inmersién por boya en el completo. Se fabrica en los dos colores del grabado. Precio 31 ptas. Recambies para Respirador Saltarin Completo Ref. 500. 99 Flotador 1,—. 501 Boquilla 11,—. 502 Sujetador 4,—. 503 Boya 14,—. Simple Ref. 504 Precio 19 ptas. Recambios para Respirador Saltarin Simple Ref. 504. 501 Boquilla 11,—. 502 Sujetador 4.—".
Rough translation: "SALTARIN Snorkel Complete Ref. 500. Snorkel with float. For all ages, easy to use. Float shuts off when submerged in the complete version. It is manufactured in the two colours of the drawing. Price 31 pesetas. Spare Parts for Complete Saltarin Snorkel Ref. 500. 99 Float 1,—. 501 Mouthpiece 11,—. 502 Keeper 4,—. 503 Float 14,—. Simple Ref. 504 Price 19 ptas. Spare Parts for Simple Jumping Respirator Ref. 504. 501 Mouthpiece 11,—. 502 Keeper 4.—".

So a model available in red or blue with or without a ball valve to exclude water when the top is submerged. Note the inverted U-bend between the barrel and the bakk valve, eliminating the need for two differently shaped barrels.

 

[David Wilson]

The second Clasal snorkel today is only defined by its stock number 521:

It appears to be a pale-blue all-rubber snorkel comprising a lugged mouthpiece with a long V-shaped stem connected to a straight barrel with a keeper for attachment to a diving mask.

At the weekend we shall review the Clasal Regio and Benjamin breathing tubes. Stay well, safe and warm.

 

[David Wilson]

Today we rake a look ay Clasal Regio and Benjamin breathing tubes. "Regio" is Spasnish for "royal".

Spanish: "RESPIRADOR REGIO Completo Ref. 550. Respirador especial para adultos y adaptable a cualquier lente. De opturación perfecta en la inmersión, por boya, si es completo. Su forma es adaptable perfectamente a la boca del nadador. Se fabrica en los dos colores del grabado. Precio 40 ptas. Recambios para Respirador Regio Completo Ref. 550. 100 Flotador 1,50. 502 Sujetador 4,—. 510 Boya 20,—. 512 Boquiila 15,—. Simple Ref. 555 Precio 23 ptas. Recambios para Respirador Regio Simple Ref. 535. 502 Sujetador 4,—. 512 Boquilla 15,—".
Rough translation: "REGIO SNORKEL Complete Ref. 550. Special snorkel for adults and adaptable to any mask. Float seals perfectly when submerged, if it is complete. Its shape is perfectly adaptable to the swimmer's mouth. It is manufactured in the two colours of the drawing. Price 40 pesetas. Spare parts for Regio Complete Snorkel Ref. 550. 100 Float 1.50. 502 Keeper 4,—. 510 Float Valve 20,—. 512 Mouthpiece 15,—. Simple Ref. 555 Price 23 ptas. Spare parts for Regio Simple Snorkel Ref. 535. 502 Keeper 4,—. 512 Mouthpiece 15,—".

So an adult breathing tube available in red or blue with (Complete) or without (Simple) a ball-in-cage valve. The ball valve topping the Complete version has an inverted U-bend stem so that the valve is un the correct position when it is fitted. When the stemmed valve is removed, the model is converted from the Complete to the Simple version. The barrel is fitted with a keeper for attachment to a diving mask. At the base of the barrel, a combined rubber U-bend and lugged mouthpiece is fitted.

Below is another image of the snorkel:

 

[David Wilson]

The second Clasal breathing tube today is the Benjamin. As noted in a previous post, "Benjamin" is a name of Biblical origin. The Benjamin snorkel:

Spanish: "RESPIRADOR BENJAMIN Completo Ref. 575. Respirador con boya. Especial para niños. Optura en la inmersión por boya. Se fabrica en los dos colores del grabado. Precio 26 ptas. Recambios Para Respirador Benjamin Completo Ref 575. 99 Flotador 1.—. 505 Boquiila 11,—. 508 Boya 12,—. 511 Sujetador 3,—. Simple Ref. 576 Precio 17 ptas. Recambios para Respirador Benjamin Simple Ref. 576. 505 Boquilla 11.—. 511 Sujetador 3,—".
Rough translation: "BENJAMIN SNORKEL Complete Ref. 575. Snorkel with float valve. Special model for children. Float valve seals when submerged. It is manufactured in the two colours of the drawing. Price 26 pesetas. Spare Parts For Complete Benjamin Snorkel Ref 575. 99 Float 1.—. 505 Mouthpiece 11,—. 508 Float valve 12,—. 511 Keeper 3,—. Simple Ref. 576 Price 17 pesetas. Spare parts for Benjamin Simple Snorkel Ref. 576. 505 Mouthpiece 11.— 511 Keeper 3,—".

So a child's size snorkel, once again with the option of having the ball valve present or absent. Same colour range as the Regio model.

Another image of the snorkel:

Next time, midweek, we shall review the Clasal Saltarin A breathing tube. Keep safe, well and warm.

 

[David Wilson]

Today we have the Clasal Saltarin-A breathing tube. As I mentioned before,"Saltarin" is Spanish for "jumping, bouncing, hopping, frolicking": make of that what you will when the word is applied to snorkels, but it may have been chosen either because the breathing tube goes up and down in the water or because the ball in a ball valve breathing tube does so. The Clasal Saltarin-A:

Spanish: "RESPIRADOR SALTARIN A Completo Ref. 580. Respirador con boya. Para todas las edades, de facil manejo. De opturación en la inmersión por boya en el completo. Se fabrica en los dos colores del grabado. Precio completo 34 ptas. Recambios para Respirador Saltarin A Completo Ref. 580. 100 Flotador 1,50. 502 Boquilla 11,—. 502 Sujetador 4,—. 506 Boya 18,—. Simple Ref. 504 Precio 19 ptas. Recambios para Respirador Saltarin Simple Ref. 504. 501 Boquilla 11,—. 502 Sujetador 4,—".

Rough translation: "SALTARIN A RESPIRATOR Complete Ref. 580. Snorkel with float. For all ages, easy to use. Float seals when submerged in the complete version. It is manufactured in the two colours of the drawing. Full price 34 pesetas. Spare parts for Saltarin A Snorkel Complete. Ref. 580. 100 Float 1.50. 502 Mouthpiece 11,—. 502 Keeper 4,—. 506 Float valve 18,—. Simple Ref. 504 Price 19 pesetas. Spare Parts for Simple Saltarin A Snorkel Ref. 504. 501 Mouthpiece 11,—. 502 Keeper 4,—

So another ball valve snorkel available in red or blue and with a straight barrel. Ball valve at the supply end attached to an inverted U-bend to take the barrel. U-bend mouthpiece at the demand end.

 

[David Wilson]

I haven't yet elaborated the unusual mouthpiece on the Saltarin range. It lacks the familiar twin-lug feature on the flange. Instead, there is an extendion of the tube into the mouthpiece, enabling it to protrude and providing a surface for the teeth to bite. Here is a real-life version of the snorkel with the drawing for comparison:

And there we leave business for the day. Back at the weekend with a review of Clasal Super and Bambino snorkel-masks. Keep warm, safe and well.

 

[David Wilson]

The Clasal Super and Bambino snorkel-masks. Clasal Super:

Spanish: "MASCARA SUPER Ref. 1.150. Mascara de respiración interna. Fabricada con goma extra CLASAL. Especial para exploración. Equipada con válvula de boya. De gran visibilidad y adaptable a cualquier forma. Se fabrica en los dos colores del grabado.
Precio 100 ptas. Recambios para Máscara Super Ref. 1.150. 100 Flotador: 1,50. 510 Boya: 20,-. 1002 Correa: 8,-. 1004 Hebillas Especiales: 2,-. 1151 Cristal: 7,-. 1501 Sujetador: 10,-".
Rough translation: "SUPER MASK ref. 1,150. Internal breathing mask. Manufactured with superior CLASAL rubber. Fitted with float valve. Wide visibility and adaptable to any shape. Manufactured in both colours of the drawing. Price 100 pesetas. Spare parts for Super Mask Ref. 1,600. 100 Float ball: 1.50. 510 Float valve: 20.00. 1002 Strap: 8.00. 1004 Special buckles: 2.00. 1151 Lens: 7.00. 1501 Fastener: 10.00".

So a snorkel-mask with two sets of straps, one to retain the mask on the head and the other to keep the breathing tube in position. Note the description of this model as an "internal breathing mask", which suggests that it is a full-face mask covering the mouth as well as the eyes and nose. Judge for yourself from the drawings.

 

[David Wilson]

And now for the Clasal Bambino snorkel-mask. "Bambino" is Italian for "child".

Spanish: "MASCARA BAMBINO Ref. 1.155. Máscara de respiración interna. Fabricada con goma extra CLASAL. Equipada con aro metálico de seguridad y con válvula de Boya Especial para exploración, de gran visibilidad y adaptable a cualquier forma. Se fabrica en los colores azul, rojo y verde. Precio 70 ptas. Recambios para Máscara Bambino Ref. 1.155. 100 Flotador: 1,50. 506 Boya: 18,-. 1010 Hebillas Especiales: 1,50. 1111 Aro Metálico inoxidable: 8,-. 1156 Cristal: 6,-. 1201 Correa: 6,-. 1502 Sujetador: 10,-".
Rough translation: "BAMBINO MASK Ref. 1,155. Internal breathing mask. Made with superior CLASAL rubber. Fitted with a metal security band and a special float valve for exploration, wide visibility and adaptable to any shape. Manufactured in the colours blue, red and green. Price 70 pesetas. Spare parts for Bambino Mask Ref. 1,155. 100 Float ball: 1.50. 506 Float valve: 18.00. 1010 Special buckles: 1.50. 1111 Stainless-steel band: 8.00. 1156 Lens: 6.00. 1201 Strap: 6.00. 1502 Fastener: 10.00".

This time the snorkel-mask has a triangular lens, but otherwise the fittings and features are the same, with two sets of straps and a ball valve at the supply end. The Bambino is not unique in being a triangular snorkel-mask, as witness this UK-made Britmarine Clipper model, which also has two sets of straps:

Some time midweek we shall be reviewing the Clasal Infantil Bambino and Prima Star snorkel-masks. Until then, keep safe and well.

 

[David Wilson]

Today we rake a look at the Clasal Infantil Bambino and Prima Star snorkel-masks. As the name suggests, The Infantil Bambino is a young child's model with smaller dimensions than the Bambino (Bambino=Italian for "child":

Spanish: "MASCARA INFANTIL BAMBINO ref. 1.155. Mascara de respiración interna. Fabricada con goma extra CLASAL. Equipada con aro metálico de seguridad y con válvula de boya Especial para exploración, de gran visibilidad y adaptable a cualquier forma. Se fabrica en los colores azul, rojo y verde. Precio 70 ptas. Recambios para Máscara Infantil Bambino Ref. 1.155. 100 Flotador: 1,50. 506 Boya: 16,-. 1010 Hebillas Especiales: 1,50. 1111 Aro Metálico inoxidable: 8,-. 1157 Cristal: 6,-. 1201 Correa: 6,-. 1502 Sujetador: 10,-".
Rough translation: "INFANTIL BAMBINO MASK ref. 1,155. Internal breathing mask. Manufactured with superior CLASAL rubber. Fitted with metal security band and with special float valve for exploration, high visibility and suits any shape. Manufactured in light blue, red and green colours. Price 70 pesetas. Spare parts for Infantil Bambino Mask Ref. 1,155. 100 Float ball: 1.50. 506 Float valve: 16.00. 1010 Special buckles: 1.50. 1111 Stainless-steel band: 8.00. 1157 Lens: 6.00. 1201 Strap: 6.00. 1502 Keeper: 10.00".

So basically the same model as the Clasal Bambino, just a smaller size. A triangular lens, metal rim, two sets of straps, available in green as well as the pictured red and blue.

 

[David Wilson]

And now for the Clasal Prima Star snorkel mask:

Spanish: "MASCARA PRIMA STAR ref. 1.150. Máscara de respiración interna. Fabricada con goma extra CLASAL, con brida de seguridad para exploración. Equipada con válvula de boya. De gran visibilidad y resistencia. Se fabrica en los dos colores del grabado. Precio 125 ptas. Recambios para Máscara Prima Star Ref. 1.500. 100 Flotador: 1,50. 510 Boya: 20,-. 1002 Correa: 8,-. 1004 Hebillas Especiales: 2,-. 1005 Cristal: 8,-. 1006 Aro Metálico inoxidable: 12,-. 1501 Sujetador: 10,-".
Rough translation: "PRIMA STAR MASK ref. 1,150. Internal breathing mask. Manufactured with superior CLASAL rubber, with security flange for exploration. Fitted with buoy valve. High visibility and resistance. Manufactured in both colours of the drawing. Price 125 pesetas. Spare parts for Prima Star Mask Ref. 1,500. 100 Float ball: 1.50. 510 Float valve: 20.00. 1002 Strap: 8.00. 1004 Special buckles: 2.00. 1005 Lens: 8.00. 1006 Stainless-steel band: 12.00. 1501 Keeper: 10.00".

So a snorkel-mask with a circular lens surrounded with a metal rim. This time the breathing is unsupported by a separate strap. Ribbed skirt to withstand water pressure at depth.

Next time we shall review the Clasal Sport snorkel-mask and Clasal Unic fins. Until then, keep safe and well.