Kirby Morgan surface system

[Scuba One]

The local dive rescue team has asked me to help them sell their full Kirby Morgan surface system and we don't have any idea what it is worth. It is for two divers with what I was told were "Band Masks", hoses, and a Kmac 5 surface box with communications. The full set was purchased new in the 80's and has been in fresh water only, maybe 10 times total. I am sure it will all need to be serviced.

Any input would be appreciated.

 

[Sam Miller III]

These appear to be old Band mask- more value as a collectable than useable

I would suggest that you telephone the Kirby Morgan company in Santa Maria California give them the serial numbers of the masks they can then idenify the model number and year made.

sdm

 

[Akimbo]

I doubt that anyone will buy these for use offshore (oil industry), but they will work fine for a lot of inland and harbor work. The good news is the parts are very interchangeable/upgradable so they have value just for spares. The rubber hoses can be changed for metal tubes and the check valve is still made today.

What kind of shape is the foam backing to the face seal? You can probably do well on E-Bay with them. You could also check to see what a re-build will cost, which would allow you to state that in the posting and ease buyer concern.

 

[Scuba One]

I have more info on the gear. It comes with 1 - 200 foot line with communications, and the surface box as pictured below.

 

[trefoil]

hello scuba one

The equipment is as follows

... two "hats" in question are kmb18A Band Masks. The A refers to the side block config. (A) means the main gas hose attaches up the front, this config is not standard any longer and is a special order from Kirby Morgan. (B) block is over the shoulder and is standard on all KM hats today.
Their age is probably around the mid 80s as the oral nasals are the old green latex, which means the comm covers are also the green latex probably deteriorated to the point of being sticky. As for their worth money wise, depends on the person looking to buy. If they have been sitting with no maintenance then a complete rebuild will be in order and could cost up wards of 600 dollars per mask (soft goods, and rebuilt kits for the regs, new hood retainers as the old style do not have them, ect) Also at that age the face plate retainer screws may need to be heli coiled. They had a bad habit of "pulling out" or in the case of burning "pops" complete failure. will need to be sent to a repair facility to have the work done, not pc to do it ourselves any longer. the way to check is to remove the face plate retainer ring and check the frame screw holes to see if they are metal or just threaded into fiberglass. Metal - good Fiberglass- bad. if you decide to look make sure to cover the lexan with duct tape and one wrong move with a screwdriver can leave one nasty scratch Better yet, just sell as is with a disclaimer to have them checked before being put to use.


The control box is also from the 80s If it works then go to go if not then a send to the manufacturer is in order (read expensive). KM control boxes are not really field repair friendly and the comm units were crap.

as for the hose rigs you will need to be describe to get a feel for those. gates hb heavy hose goes for 2 to 3 bux a foot and the lightweight floating hose (synflex 34BA) goes for 1.60 - 2.50 per foot, this is the cost for the main gas hose not a 3, 4 or more part umbilical assembly.

...hope this helps and the poster above is right, ebay maybe where the best price comes from.
FYI Newer/used 17b's can be had for 2500 or so.

These "hats" are still in use today even in the A-block config. They(A-block config) fell out of favor when bail out became the norm, the routing of the main line from left harness d ring around the back and up under the right arm would and does get interfered with when wearing a bail out. Some divers would attach at the harness on the right side and up the front but is also constrictive of head movement.

As for their use in the GOM? Not used offshore any longer, but, a few "muddhole companies" still perform in them. Inland / coastal arenas the they are fine.
oh, one more thing... (b) block metal tube from block to reg... (A) block, the rubber hose is necessary to accommodate the circle S check valve.



good luck

 

[Superlyte27]

The masks aren't worth much. A guy here recently bought 10 of them for 1k total and thought he could unload them for a profit. A year later he hadn't sold any even for 200each. If you ahve a good quality 200' umbilical, it will sell. They cost a pretty penny for new if they have com, pneumo, air supply and strength member. They cost even more if they have video.

 

[Sam Miller III]

trefoil
Very good information. You certainly know the KM line! Thank You!

Once again to determne when units were produced it is suggested you call or write the comany in Santa Maria with the serial numbers and they will provied the exact year the units were produced..

Interesting the early KMs are valuable as collectors items - the mid range have little vavue as collectors items or as usefull tools.

Good luck in selling them,

SDM

 

[Akimbo]

The big issue is not the age or model of the Band mask; it is that it is a mask and not a hat. There is very little if any difference in function between models. Communications, head protection, and comfort are certainly better in a hat. A mask has advantages in public safety and working in the splash zone due to substantial weight difference.

The only time I was ever hit on the head hard enough to almost lose consciousness was in a Band mask working in the splash zone. We were rigging some braces on a small platform and a shackle on a line flipped off a pipe.

 

[KD8NPB]

A year later he hadn't sold any even for 200each

I'd rock a $200 bandmask. Hook me up.

 

[Rich Keller]

The masks aren't worth much. A guy here recently bought 10 of them for 1k total and thought he could unload them for a profit. A year later he hadn't sold any even for 200each. If you ahve a good quality 200' umbilical, it will sell. They cost a pretty penny for new if they have com, pneumo, air supply and strength member. They cost even more if they have video.

You could put even an old band mask on ebay for a $200 starting bid and they will usually sell for 4 to 5 times that much. Who was the guy?