Rust Removal - Suggestions for Mask

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Posted By: Mark Steinberg

I took a chance, and won this archaic looking Catchers Mask from Ebay. I was not even 100% sure it is a Catchers Mask, but don't know what else it could possibly be. I am doing an "Evoluton of the Mask" display, and this one is certainly a unique addition.

It was advertised as a Catchers Mask, and is definitely made to be worn up against the face. The leather straps on either side and contoured padding on the reverse clearly indicate this fact. Any help you guys can provide with the following would be MUCH appreciated...

1. Is it something other than a Catchers Mask?
2. To what era or decade would you attribute this piece (pre-1900?)
3. Is there a product, or method for removing some of the accumulated rust?

Any help you can provide is much appreciated (especially for #3 above...) I would hate to think I wasted money on something this ugly, if it isn't even something related to baseball.

Thanks!

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Posted By: howard

Was that described as a catchers mask on Ebay? It looks to me like something that would be used on a psychiatric patient or dangerous criminal to keep them from biting people and/or hurting themselves.

I've used WD-40 to remove light rust on tools.

Howard

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Posted By: Mark Steinberg

Thanks Howard... I can definitely see Hannibal Lechter wearing this thing. It sure would not be the first silly or frivolous purchase I've made.

Does anyone else know what this ghastly thing might be? And is WD-40 the best way to remove the rust? Thanks!

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Posted By: Joe K.

At first thought you would think that it is some primitive custom designed and home made mask, but I have actually seen this same style mask sold on eBay a couple times before. So it probably wasn’t completely custom made and served some purpose. Seems like it’s definitely a face mask, but it also seems doubtful it would have been used for baseball. The pillow padding is very large and the face hole is really small to see out of, especially with that large bar down the middle. You’ll have to try it on when you get it to see what you can see, but I doubt one could see much with that thing on. It does look more like some primitive bondage device. Could be baseball, but unless we can find a picture of someone wearing one, seems kind of doubtful.

I too have effectively used WD-40 to remove rust.

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Posted By: Brock G.

Get yourself a strait jacket and wear that mask on Halloween. It scares me just looking at it.

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Posted By: Rob Loeffler

It's definitely not a catchers mask. I have seen these before and for the life of me, I can't remember what the use was (though it wasn't a catchers mask). I'll see if I can find what I saw about this and post it when I see it.

Rob L

Rob L

http://www.freewebs.com/loefflerrd/

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Posted By: Phil

No question in my mind that this is NOT a catcher's mask. Really can't think that it is sports related at all.

Looks like some kind of custom made mask for heaven knows what?

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Posted By: Brock G.

If by some chance it were sports related, maybe an early, homeade, hockey mask?

Looks like a mix between a medieval jousting helmet, welders mask, and some crude bondage device. Really strange looking.

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Posted By: Jim Daniel

I too picked up a similar mask to this one many years ago because it was very inexpensive. I have a different perspective on it. Although they were not commercially made, it's possible it was a homemade or folk art type of mask used for baseball. I have a bunch of gloves, mitts, balls and other equipment that was definitely homemade or maybe depression era type equipment. I think it's possible that it could have been made for the purpose of baseball. I also think there's a better chance it wasn't. I just don't know what else it could have been made for. Good thread - possible but not probable.

JD

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Posted By: keyway

soak a paper towel with some vinegar and let it sit on the metal a couple of hours. Should clean a lot of it up.

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Posted By: Mark

Thanks all, for your help and suggestions... the seller said this was found along with some other old baseball equipment, but looks like the majority opinion goes against it being an actual catchers mask.

I guess we can all agree that it looks terribly uncomfortable, and bet we are all glad we don't have to wear it!