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Capital Stock - Summary of Common Stock Activity (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified | 12 Months Ended |
--- | --- | ---
Dec. 31, 2014 | Dec. 31, 2013 | Dec. 31, 2012 | Dec. 31, 2011
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward] |  |  |  |
Beginning Balances (in shares) | 37,202,099 us-gaap_CommonStockSharesOutstanding |  |  |
Stock options exercised (in shares) | 190,743 us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesStockOptionsExercised | 277,687 us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesStockOptionsExercised | 223,022 us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesStockOptionsExercised |
Ending Balances (in shares) | 37,448,310 us-gaap_CommonStockSharesOutstanding | 37,202,099 us-gaap_CommonStockSharesOutstanding |  |
Common Stock |  |  |  |
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward] |  |  |  |
Beginning Balances (in shares) | 62,081,391 us-gaap_CommonStockSharesOutstanding / us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis = us-gaap_CommonStockMember | 62,081,391 us-gaap_CommonStockSharesOutstanding / us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis = us-gaap_CommonStockMember | 62,081,391 us-gaap_CommonStockSharesOutstanding / us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis = us-gaap_CommonStockMember |
Ending Balances (in shares) | 62,081,391 us-gaap_CommonStockSharesOutstanding / us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis = us-gaap_CommonStockMember | 62,081,391 us-gaap_CommonStockSharesOutstanding / us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis = us-gaap_CommonStockMember | 62,081,391 us-gaap_CommonStockSharesOutstanding / us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis = us-gaap_CommonStockMember |
Beginning Balances | 132,055 us-gaap_CommonStockValueOutstanding / us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis = us-gaap_CommonStockMember | 112,135 us-gaap_CommonStockValueOutstanding / us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis = us-gaap_CommonStockMember | 97,276 us-gaap_CommonStockValueOutstanding / us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis = us-gaap_CommonStockMember |
Performance stock forfeitures | (33)us-gaap_StockGrantedDuringPeriodValueSharebasedCompensationForfeited / us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis = us-gaap_CommonStockMember |  |  |
Tax benefit related to stock plans | 2,573 us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationTaxBenefitRealizedFromExerciseOfStockOptions / us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis = us-gaap_CommonStockMember | 2,246 us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationTaxBenefitRealizedFromExerciseOfStockOptions / us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis = us-gaap_CommonStockMember | 2,799 us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationTaxBenefitRealizedFromExerciseOfStockOptions / us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis = us-gaap_CommonStockMember |
Other, net |  |  | (77)us-gaap_StockholdersEquityOther / us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis = us-gaap_CommonStockMember |
Ending Balances | 148,401 us-gaap_CommonStockValueOutstanding / us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis = us-gaap_CommonStockMember | 132,055 us-gaap_CommonStockValueOutstanding / us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis = us-gaap_CommonStockMember | 112,135 us-gaap_CommonStockValueOutstanding / us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis = us-gaap_CommonStockMember |
Stock Compensation Trust |  |  |  |
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward] |  |  |  |
Beginning Balances (in shares) |  |  |  | (1,162,784)us-gaap_CommonStockSharesOutstanding / us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis = msa_StockCompensationTrustMember
Ending Balances (in shares) | 0 us-gaap_CommonStockSharesOutstanding / us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis = msa_StockCompensationTrustMember | (303,668)us-gaap_CommonStockSharesOutstanding / us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis = msa_StockCompensationTrustMember | (745,430)us-gaap_CommonStockSharesOutstanding / us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis = msa_StockCompensationTrustMember | (1,162,784)us-gaap_CommonStockSharesOutstanding / us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis = msa_StockCompensationTrustMember
Beginning Balances |  |  |  | (6,070)us-gaap_CommonStockValueOutstanding / us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis = msa_StockCompensationTrustMember
Ending Balances | 0 us-gaap_CommonStockValueOutstanding / us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis = msa_StockCompensationTrustMember | (1,585)us-gaap_CommonStockValueOutstanding / us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis = msa_StockCompensationTrustMember | (3,891)us-gaap_CommonStockValueOutstanding / us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis = msa_StockCompensationTrustMember | (6,070)us-gaap_CommonStockValueOutstanding / us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis = msa_StockCompensationTrustMember
Treasury Stock |  |  |  |
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward] |  |  |  |
Beginning Balances (in shares) |  |  |  | (24,226,017)us-gaap_CommonStockSharesOutstanding / us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis = us-gaap_TreasuryStockMember
Ending Balances (in shares) | (24,633,081)us-gaap_CommonStockSharesOutstanding / us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis = us-gaap_TreasuryStockMember | (24,575,624)us-gaap_CommonStockSharesOutstanding / us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis = us-gaap_TreasuryStockMember | (24,328,162)us-gaap_CommonStockSharesOutstanding / us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis = us-gaap_TreasuryStockMember | (24,226,017)us-gaap_CommonStockSharesOutstanding / us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis = us-gaap_TreasuryStockMember
Beginning Balances |  |  |  | (264,479)us-gaap_CommonStockValueOutstanding / us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis = us-gaap_TreasuryStockMember
Ending Balances | (284,805)us-gaap_CommonStockValueOutstanding / us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis = us-gaap_TreasuryStockMember | (279,772)us-gaap_CommonStockValueOutstanding / us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis = us-gaap_TreasuryStockMember | (267,987)us-gaap_CommonStockValueOutstanding / us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis = us-gaap_TreasuryStockMember | (264,479)us-gaap_CommonStockValueOutstanding / us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis = us-gaap_TreasuryStockMember
Restricted Stock | Common Stock |  |  |  |
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward] |  |  |  |
Restricted stock awards | (538)us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueRestrictedStockAwardGross / us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis = us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember / us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis = us-gaap_CommonStockMember | (505)us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueRestrictedStockAwardGross / us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis = us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember / us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis = us-gaap_CommonStockMember | (711)us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueRestrictedStockAwardGross / us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis = us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember / us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis = us-gaap_CommonStockMember |
Share-based compensation expense | 4,372 us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueShareBasedCompensation / us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis = us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember / us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis = us-gaap_CommonStockMember | 4,244 us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueShareBasedCompensation / us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis = us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember / us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis = us-gaap_CommonStockMember | 4,891 us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueShareBasedCompensation / us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis = us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember / us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis = us-gaap_CommonStockMember |
Restricted stock forfeitures | (346)us-gaap_RestrictedStockAwardForfeitures / us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis = us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember / us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis = us-gaap_CommonStockMember | (115)us-gaap_RestrictedStockAwardForfeitures / us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis = us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember / us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis = us-gaap_CommonStockMember | (147)us-gaap_RestrictedStockAwardForfeitures / us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis = us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember / us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis = us-gaap_CommonStockMember |
Restricted Stock | Stock Compensation Trust |  |  |  |
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward] |  |  |  |
Restricted stock awards (in shares) | 72,291 us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesRestrictedStockAwardGross / us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis = us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember / us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis = msa_StockCompensationTrustMember | 96,686 us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesRestrictedStockAwardGross / us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis = us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember / us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis = msa_StockCompensationTrustMember | 136,295 us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesRestrictedStockAwardGross / us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis = us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember / us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis = msa_StockCompensationTrustMember |
Restricted stock awards | 377 us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueRestrictedStockAwardGross / us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis = us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember / us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis = msa_StockCompensationTrustMember | 505 us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueRestrictedStockAwardGross / us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis = us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember / us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis = msa_StockCompensationTrustMember | 711 us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueRestrictedStockAwardGross / us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis = us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember / us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis = msa_StockCompensationTrustMember |
Restricted Stock | Treasury Stock |  |  |  |
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward] |  |  |  |
Restricted stock awards (in shares) | 13,936 us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesRestrictedStockAwardGross / us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis = us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember / us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis = us-gaap_TreasuryStockMember |  |  |
Restricted stock forfeitures (in shares) | (4,078)us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesRestrictedStockAwardForfeited / us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis = us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember / us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis = us-gaap_TreasuryStockMember | (7,365)us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesRestrictedStockAwardForfeited / us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis = us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember / us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis = us-gaap_TreasuryStockMember | (10,815)us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesRestrictedStockAwardForfeited / us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis = us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember / us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis = us-gaap_TreasuryStockMember |
Restricted stock awards | 161 us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueRestrictedStockAwardGross / us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis = us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember / us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis = us-gaap_TreasuryStockMember |  |  |
Stock Options | Common Stock |  |  |  |
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward] |  |  |  |
Share-based compensation expense | 2,355 us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueShareBasedCompensation / us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis = us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember / us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis = us-gaap_CommonStockMember | 2,825 us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueShareBasedCompensation / us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis = us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember / us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis = us-gaap_CommonStockMember | 2,435 us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueShareBasedCompensation / us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis = us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember / us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis = us-gaap_CommonStockMember |
Stock options exercised | 5,678 us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueStockOptionsExercised / us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis = us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember / us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis = us-gaap_CommonStockMember | 8,194 us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueStockOptionsExercised / us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis = us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember / us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis = us-gaap_CommonStockMember | 3,141 us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueStockOptionsExercised / us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis = us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember / us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis = us-gaap_CommonStockMember |
Stock Options | Stock Compensation Trust |  |  |  |
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward] |  |  |  |
Stock options exercised (in shares) | 150,962 us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesStockOptionsExercised / us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis = us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember / us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis = msa_StockCompensationTrustMember | 277,687 us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesStockOptionsExercised / us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis = us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember / us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis = msa_StockCompensationTrustMember | 223,022 us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesStockOptionsExercised / us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis = us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember / us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis = msa_StockCompensationTrustMember |
Stock options exercised | 788 us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueStockOptionsExercised / us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis = us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember / us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis = msa_StockCompensationTrustMember | 1,449 us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueStockOptionsExercised / us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis = us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember / us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis = msa_StockCompensationTrustMember | 1,165 us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueStockOptionsExercised / us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis = us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember / us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis = msa_StockCompensationTrustMember |
Stock Options | Treasury Stock |  |  |  |
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward] |  |  |  |
Stock options exercised (in shares) | 39,781 us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesStockOptionsExercised / us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis = us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember / us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis = us-gaap_TreasuryStockMember |  |  |
Stock options exercised | 460 us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueStockOptionsExercised / us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis = us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember / us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis = us-gaap_TreasuryStockMember |  |  |
Performance Shares | Common Stock |  |  |  |
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward] |  |  |  |
Share-based compensation expense | 2,705 us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueShareBasedCompensation / us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis = us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember / us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis = us-gaap_CommonStockMember | 3,383 us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueShareBasedCompensation / us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis = us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember / us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis = us-gaap_CommonStockMember | 2,831 us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueShareBasedCompensation / us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis = us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember / us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis = us-gaap_CommonStockMember |
Performance stock issued | (420)us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueShareBasedCompensationGross / us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis = us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember / us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis = us-gaap_CommonStockMember | (352)us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueShareBasedCompensationGross / us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis = us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember / us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis = us-gaap_CommonStockMember | (303)us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueShareBasedCompensationGross / us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis = us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember / us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis = us-gaap_CommonStockMember |
Performance Shares | Stock Compensation Trust |  |  |  |
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward] |  |  |  |
Performance stock issued (in shares) | 80,415 us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesShareBasedCompensationGross / us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis = us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember / us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis = msa_StockCompensationTrustMember | 67,389 us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesShareBasedCompensationGross / us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis = us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember / us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis = msa_StockCompensationTrustMember | 58,037 us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesShareBasedCompensationGross / us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis = us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember / us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis = msa_StockCompensationTrustMember |
Performance stock issued | 420 us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueShareBasedCompensationGross / us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis = us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember / us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis = msa_StockCompensationTrustMember | 352 us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueShareBasedCompensationGross / us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis = us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember / us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis = msa_StockCompensationTrustMember | 303 us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueShareBasedCompensationGross / us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis = us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember / us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis = msa_StockCompensationTrustMember |
Treasury Stock | Treasury Stock |  |  |  |
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward] |  |  |  |
Treasury shares purchased (in shares) | (107,096)us-gaap_TreasuryStockSharesAcquired / us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis = us-gaap_TreasuryStockMember / us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis = us-gaap_TreasuryStockMember | (240,097)us-gaap_TreasuryStockSharesAcquired / us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis = us-gaap_TreasuryStockMember / us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis = us-gaap_TreasuryStockMember | (91,330)us-gaap_TreasuryStockSharesAcquired / us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis = us-gaap_TreasuryStockMember / us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis = us-gaap_TreasuryStockMember |
Treasury shares purchased | (5,654)us-gaap_TreasuryStockValueAcquiredCostMethod / us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis = us-gaap_TreasuryStockMember / us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis = us-gaap_TreasuryStockMember | (11,785)us-gaap_TreasuryStockValueAcquiredCostMethod / us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis = us-gaap_TreasuryStockMember / us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis = us-gaap_TreasuryStockMember | (3,508)us-gaap_TreasuryStockValueAcquiredCostMethod / us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis = us-gaap_TreasuryStockMember / us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis = us-gaap_TreasuryStockMember |

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- Definition Value of all classes of common stock held by shareholders. May be all or portion of the number of common shares authorized. These shares exclude common shares repurchased by the entity and held as treasury shares. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.29) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 30 -Article 5 + Details
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- Definition Disclosure of the aggregate tax benefit realized from the exercise of stock options and the conversion of similar instruments during the annual period. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 718 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (j) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5070-113901 + Details
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- Definition Total number of shares issued during the period, including shares forfeited, as a result of Restricted Stock Awards. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 505 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6928386&loc=d3e21463-112644 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 505 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.3-04) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27012166&loc=d3e187085-122770 + Details
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