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Schedule of Valuation and Qualifying Accounts - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	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	$ 428msa_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	$ 242msa_IncreaseDecreaseToValuationAndQualifyingAccountsForForeignCurrencyTranslationAdjustment / us-gaap_ValuationAllowancesAndReservesTypeAxis = msa_IncomeTaxValuationAllowanceMember	$ 97msa_IncreaseDecreaseToValuationAndQualifyingAccountsForForeignCurrencyTranslationAdjustment / us-gaap_ValuationAllowancesAndReservesTypeAxis = msa_IncomeTaxValuationAllowanceMember

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Increase (Decrease) To Valuation And Qualifying Accounts For Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment

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