Canvas Carry Bag

The majority of the KZO-1 portable marking kit is carried within a canvas bag.  This bag is worn across the body over the shoulder.  A second strap is worn around the leg to keep the kit in place while moving from one location to another.  Within this pouch are contained the driving stake, ten placards, five light kits, and an instruction manual.

The markings remain a mystery to us at this time.  They may indicate a place and date of manufacture, but until more information becomes available we do not know for certain.

The bright yellow marking placards are made of heavy pressed cardboard and are given a thin water resistant coating.  The ten placards are wrapped within a thin paper wrapper to safeguard against moisture.

Two different placards have been used during the time that the KZO-1 has been in service.  The older model (shown below) was used in the early 1960's.  It uses two cardboard triangles to hold information about the contaminated zone beyond.  As new readings were taken, the triangles would be replaced.  The general type of contamination (radiation, chemical, biological) was to be noted on the left triangle, while the date and time were to be recorded on the right triangle.

These placards were eventually replaced by the signs on the right.  These dispensed with the metal brackets and ring found on the earlier models.  On these placards, a soldier would simply circle the type of agent (RB - radiation, OB - toxic materials, BS - biological matter) then record the date and time below.  It could be used twice in this manner.

When setting the placards on poles included with the kit (sadly missing in our example) it was often necessary to use this tool to help drive them into the ground.

It is made of crude steel and comes wrapped in wax paper to protect it from moisture damage.

Five small plastic light kits are included in the KZO-1 marking kit.  These contain a metal frame that holds the battery and completes the electric circuit to the bulb.  Once the battery is placed within this frame, the light will illuminate.  The entire assembly is then placed within the white container, which is then clipped to one of the marking placards.  The light bulb is rated to glow for forty eight hours before burning out.

Once the battery is placed within the light kit, the device is attached to the placard by means of a its plastic clip.  The KZO-1 documentation states that the light is visible up to 100 meters at night.  This seems highly optimistic as the picture to the right shows how dimly it shines at a distance of 10 meters.