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Schedule of Valuation and Qualifying Accounts - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified | 12 Months Ended
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Dec. 31, 2014 | Dec. 31, 2013 | Dec. 31, 2012
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts |  |  |
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts Disclosure [Line Items] |  |  |
Currency translation gains (losses) | $ (332)msa_IncreaseDecreaseToValuationAndQualifyingAccountsForForeignCurrencyTranslationAdjustment / us-gaap_ValuationAllowancesAndReservesTypeAxis = us-gaap_AllowanceForDoubtfulAccountsMember | $ (121)msa_IncreaseDecreaseToValuationAndQualifyingAccountsForForeignCurrencyTranslationAdjustment / us-gaap_ValuationAllowancesAndReservesTypeAxis = us-gaap_AllowanceForDoubtfulAccountsMember | $ 428 msa_IncreaseDecreaseToValuationAndQualifyingAccountsForForeignCurrencyTranslationAdjustment / us-gaap_ValuationAllowancesAndReservesTypeAxis = us-gaap_AllowanceForDoubtfulAccountsMember
Income Tax Valuation Allowance |  |  |
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts Disclosure [Line Items] |  |  |
Currency translation gains (losses) | $ (643)msa_IncreaseDecreaseToValuationAndQualifyingAccountsForForeignCurrencyTranslationAdjustment / us-gaap_ValuationAllowancesAndReservesTypeAxis = msa_IncomeTaxValuationAllowanceMember | $ 242 msa_IncreaseDecreaseToValuationAndQualifyingAccountsForForeignCurrencyTranslationAdjustment / us-gaap_ValuationAllowancesAndReservesTypeAxis = msa_IncomeTaxValuationAllowanceMember | $ 97 msa_IncreaseDecreaseToValuationAndQualifyingAccountsForForeignCurrencyTranslationAdjustment / us-gaap_ValuationAllowancesAndReservesTypeAxis = msa_IncomeTaxValuationAllowanceMember

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- Details
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