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Segment Information - Schedule Of Reportable Segment Information (Detail) (USD $)
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
3 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014
Sep. 30, 2014
Jun. 30, 2014
Mar. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Sep. 30, 2013
Jun. 30, 2013
Mar. 31, 2013
Dec. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Dec. 31, 2012
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]                      
Sales to external customers $ 311,188us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet $ 275,159us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet $ 282,493us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet $ 265,045us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet $ 291,429us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet $ 264,884us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet $ 285,859us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet $ 269,886us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet $ 1,133,885us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet $ 1,112,058us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet $ 1,110,443us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet
Intercompany sales                 0msa_IntercompanySales 0msa_IntercompanySales 0msa_IntercompanySales
Net income:                      
Continuing operations 33,119us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperations 18,674us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperations 22,132us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperations 13,522us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperations 24,929us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperations 18,987us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperations 23,315us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperations 18,627us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperations 87,447us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperations 85,858us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperations 87,557us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperations
Discontinued operations (432)us-gaap_IncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsNetOfTaxAttributableToReportingEntity 631us-gaap_IncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsNetOfTaxAttributableToReportingEntity 356us-gaap_IncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsNetOfTaxAttributableToReportingEntity 504us-gaap_IncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsNetOfTaxAttributableToReportingEntity 482us-gaap_IncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsNetOfTaxAttributableToReportingEntity 514us-gaap_IncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsNetOfTaxAttributableToReportingEntity 734us-gaap_IncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsNetOfTaxAttributableToReportingEntity 659us-gaap_IncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsNetOfTaxAttributableToReportingEntity 1,059us-gaap_IncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsNetOfTaxAttributableToReportingEntity 2,389us-gaap_IncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsNetOfTaxAttributableToReportingEntity 3,080us-gaap_IncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsNetOfTaxAttributableToReportingEntity
Total assets 1,264,792us-gaap_Assets       1,234,270us-gaap_Assets       1,264,792us-gaap_Assets 1,234,270us-gaap_Assets 1,111,746us-gaap_Assets
Interest income                 1,822us-gaap_InterestIncomeOperating 1,142us-gaap_InterestIncomeOperating 1,411us-gaap_InterestIncomeOperating
Interest expense                 9,851us-gaap_InterestExpense 10,677us-gaap_InterestExpense 11,344us-gaap_InterestExpense
Noncash items:                      
Depreciation and amortization                 29,921us-gaap_DepreciationAndAmortization 30,764us-gaap_DepreciationAndAmortization 31,702us-gaap_DepreciationAndAmortization
Pension income (expense)                 (4,836)us-gaap_PensionExpense (12,361)us-gaap_PensionExpense (3,673)us-gaap_PensionExpense
Income tax provision                 41,044us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit [1] 35,145us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit [1] 41,401us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit [1]
Capital expenditures                 33,583us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment 36,517us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment 32,209us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment
Long-Lived Assets 151,352us-gaap_NoncurrentAssets               151,352us-gaap_NoncurrentAssets    
Property, plant, and equipment 151,352us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNet       152,755us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNet       151,352us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNet 152,755us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNet 147,465us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNet
North America                      
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]                      
Sales to external customers                 547,739us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= msa_NorthAmericaSegmentMember
533,161us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= msa_NorthAmericaSegmentMember
532,213us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= msa_NorthAmericaSegmentMember
Intercompany sales                 116,795msa_IntercompanySales
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= msa_NorthAmericaSegmentMember
120,952msa_IntercompanySales
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= msa_NorthAmericaSegmentMember
112,964msa_IntercompanySales
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= msa_NorthAmericaSegmentMember
Net income:                      
Continuing operations                 73,874us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperations
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= msa_NorthAmericaSegmentMember
62,835us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperations
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= msa_NorthAmericaSegmentMember
58,376us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperations
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= msa_NorthAmericaSegmentMember
Discontinued operations                 0us-gaap_IncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsNetOfTaxAttributableToReportingEntity
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= msa_NorthAmericaSegmentMember
0us-gaap_IncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsNetOfTaxAttributableToReportingEntity
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= msa_NorthAmericaSegmentMember
0us-gaap_IncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsNetOfTaxAttributableToReportingEntity
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= msa_NorthAmericaSegmentMember
Total assets 996,116us-gaap_Assets
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= msa_NorthAmericaSegmentMember
      828,413us-gaap_Assets
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= msa_NorthAmericaSegmentMember
      996,116us-gaap_Assets
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= msa_NorthAmericaSegmentMember
828,413us-gaap_Assets
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= msa_NorthAmericaSegmentMember
718,545us-gaap_Assets
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= msa_NorthAmericaSegmentMember
Interest income                 995us-gaap_InterestIncomeOperating
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= msa_NorthAmericaSegmentMember
243us-gaap_InterestIncomeOperating
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= msa_NorthAmericaSegmentMember
364us-gaap_InterestIncomeOperating
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= msa_NorthAmericaSegmentMember
Interest expense                 30us-gaap_InterestExpense
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= msa_NorthAmericaSegmentMember
52us-gaap_InterestExpense
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= msa_NorthAmericaSegmentMember
106us-gaap_InterestExpense
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= msa_NorthAmericaSegmentMember
Noncash items:                      
Depreciation and amortization                 18,635us-gaap_DepreciationAndAmortization
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= msa_NorthAmericaSegmentMember
19,639us-gaap_DepreciationAndAmortization
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= msa_NorthAmericaSegmentMember
21,382us-gaap_DepreciationAndAmortization
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= msa_NorthAmericaSegmentMember
Pension income (expense)                 1,977us-gaap_PensionExpense
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= msa_NorthAmericaSegmentMember
(4,765)us-gaap_PensionExpense
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= msa_NorthAmericaSegmentMember
2,138us-gaap_PensionExpense
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= msa_NorthAmericaSegmentMember
Income tax provision                 38,911us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= msa_NorthAmericaSegmentMember
31,654us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= msa_NorthAmericaSegmentMember
35,537us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= msa_NorthAmericaSegmentMember
Capital expenditures                 18,377us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= msa_NorthAmericaSegmentMember
17,887us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= msa_NorthAmericaSegmentMember
20,119us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= msa_NorthAmericaSegmentMember
Property, plant, and equipment 86,718us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNet
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= msa_NorthAmericaSegmentMember
      84,104us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNet
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= msa_NorthAmericaSegmentMember
      86,718us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNet
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= msa_NorthAmericaSegmentMember
84,104us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNet
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= msa_NorthAmericaSegmentMember
84,923us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNet
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= msa_NorthAmericaSegmentMember
Europe                      
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]                      
Sales to external customers                 321,618us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= msa_EuropeSegmentMember
293,092us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= msa_EuropeSegmentMember
290,382us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= msa_EuropeSegmentMember
Intercompany sales                 113,914msa_IntercompanySales
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= msa_EuropeSegmentMember
98,491msa_IntercompanySales
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= msa_EuropeSegmentMember
98,096msa_IntercompanySales
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= msa_EuropeSegmentMember
Net income:                      
Continuing operations                 22,187us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperations
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= msa_EuropeSegmentMember
20,204us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperations
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= msa_EuropeSegmentMember
21,553us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperations
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= msa_EuropeSegmentMember
Discontinued operations                 0us-gaap_IncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsNetOfTaxAttributableToReportingEntity
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= msa_EuropeSegmentMember
0us-gaap_IncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsNetOfTaxAttributableToReportingEntity
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= msa_EuropeSegmentMember
0us-gaap_IncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsNetOfTaxAttributableToReportingEntity
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= msa_EuropeSegmentMember
Total assets 390,328us-gaap_Assets
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= msa_EuropeSegmentMember
      394,463us-gaap_Assets
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= msa_EuropeSegmentMember
      390,328us-gaap_Assets
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= msa_EuropeSegmentMember
394,463us-gaap_Assets
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= msa_EuropeSegmentMember
352,601us-gaap_Assets
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= msa_EuropeSegmentMember
Interest income                 111us-gaap_InterestIncomeOperating
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= msa_EuropeSegmentMember
90us-gaap_InterestIncomeOperating
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= msa_EuropeSegmentMember
147us-gaap_InterestIncomeOperating
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= msa_EuropeSegmentMember
Interest expense                 104us-gaap_InterestExpense
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= msa_EuropeSegmentMember
175us-gaap_InterestExpense
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= msa_EuropeSegmentMember
350us-gaap_InterestExpense
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= msa_EuropeSegmentMember
Noncash items:                      
Depreciation and amortization                 6,357us-gaap_DepreciationAndAmortization
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= msa_EuropeSegmentMember
5,357us-gaap_DepreciationAndAmortization
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= msa_EuropeSegmentMember
5,354us-gaap_DepreciationAndAmortization
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= msa_EuropeSegmentMember
Pension income (expense)                 (6,234)us-gaap_PensionExpense
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= msa_EuropeSegmentMember
(6,328)us-gaap_PensionExpense
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= msa_EuropeSegmentMember
(4,700)us-gaap_PensionExpense
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= msa_EuropeSegmentMember
Income tax provision                 9,195us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= msa_EuropeSegmentMember
6,735us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= msa_EuropeSegmentMember
7,771us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= msa_EuropeSegmentMember
Capital expenditures                 10,859us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= msa_EuropeSegmentMember
11,833us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= msa_EuropeSegmentMember
5,106us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= msa_EuropeSegmentMember
Property, plant, and equipment 32,892us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNet
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= msa_EuropeSegmentMember
      33,162us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNet
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= msa_EuropeSegmentMember
      32,892us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNet
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= msa_EuropeSegmentMember
33,162us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNet
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= msa_EuropeSegmentMember
25,460us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNet
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= msa_EuropeSegmentMember
International Segment                      
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]                      
Sales to external customers                 264,528us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= msa_InternationalSegmentMember
285,805us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= msa_InternationalSegmentMember
287,848us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= msa_InternationalSegmentMember
Intercompany sales                 18,449msa_IntercompanySales
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= msa_InternationalSegmentMember
22,136msa_IntercompanySales
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= msa_InternationalSegmentMember
20,031msa_IntercompanySales
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= msa_InternationalSegmentMember
Net income:                      
Continuing operations                 15,234us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperations
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= msa_InternationalSegmentMember
27,206us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperations
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= msa_InternationalSegmentMember
24,819us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperations
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= msa_InternationalSegmentMember
Discontinued operations                 1,059us-gaap_IncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsNetOfTaxAttributableToReportingEntity
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= msa_InternationalSegmentMember
2,389us-gaap_IncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsNetOfTaxAttributableToReportingEntity
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= msa_InternationalSegmentMember
3,080us-gaap_IncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsNetOfTaxAttributableToReportingEntity
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= msa_InternationalSegmentMember
Total assets 220,004us-gaap_Assets
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= msa_InternationalSegmentMember
      209,578us-gaap_Assets
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= msa_InternationalSegmentMember
      220,004us-gaap_Assets
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= msa_InternationalSegmentMember
209,578us-gaap_Assets
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= msa_InternationalSegmentMember
209,979us-gaap_Assets
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= msa_InternationalSegmentMember
Interest income                 711us-gaap_InterestIncomeOperating
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= msa_InternationalSegmentMember
809us-gaap_InterestIncomeOperating
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= msa_InternationalSegmentMember
886us-gaap_InterestIncomeOperating
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= msa_InternationalSegmentMember
Interest expense                 16us-gaap_InterestExpense
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= msa_InternationalSegmentMember
2us-gaap_InterestExpense
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= msa_InternationalSegmentMember
78us-gaap_InterestExpense
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= msa_InternationalSegmentMember
Noncash items:                      
Depreciation and amortization                 4,929us-gaap_DepreciationAndAmortization
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= msa_InternationalSegmentMember
5,768us-gaap_DepreciationAndAmortization
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= msa_InternationalSegmentMember
4,966us-gaap_DepreciationAndAmortization
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= msa_InternationalSegmentMember
Pension income (expense)                 (579)us-gaap_PensionExpense
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= msa_InternationalSegmentMember
(1,268)us-gaap_PensionExpense
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= msa_InternationalSegmentMember
(1,111)us-gaap_PensionExpense
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= msa_InternationalSegmentMember
Income tax provision                 6,529us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= msa_InternationalSegmentMember
9,069us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= msa_InternationalSegmentMember
10,450us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= msa_InternationalSegmentMember
Capital expenditures                 4,347us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= msa_InternationalSegmentMember
6,797us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= msa_InternationalSegmentMember
6,984us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= msa_InternationalSegmentMember
Property, plant, and equipment 31,741us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNet
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= msa_InternationalSegmentMember
      35,488us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNet
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= msa_InternationalSegmentMember
      31,741us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNet
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= msa_InternationalSegmentMember
35,488us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNet
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= msa_InternationalSegmentMember
37,081us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNet
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= msa_InternationalSegmentMember
Segment Reconciling Items                      
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]                      
Sales to external customers                 0us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_MaterialReconcilingItemsMember
0us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_MaterialReconcilingItemsMember
0us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_MaterialReconcilingItemsMember
Intercompany sales                 (249,158)msa_IntercompanySales
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_MaterialReconcilingItemsMember
(241,579)msa_IntercompanySales
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_MaterialReconcilingItemsMember
(231,091)msa_IntercompanySales
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_MaterialReconcilingItemsMember
Net income:                      
Continuing operations                 (23,848)us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperations
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_MaterialReconcilingItemsMember
(24,387)us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperations
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_MaterialReconcilingItemsMember
(17,191)us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperations
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_MaterialReconcilingItemsMember
Discontinued operations                 0us-gaap_IncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsNetOfTaxAttributableToReportingEntity
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_MaterialReconcilingItemsMember
0us-gaap_IncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsNetOfTaxAttributableToReportingEntity
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_MaterialReconcilingItemsMember
0us-gaap_IncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsNetOfTaxAttributableToReportingEntity
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_MaterialReconcilingItemsMember
Total assets (341,656)us-gaap_Assets
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_MaterialReconcilingItemsMember
      (198,184)us-gaap_Assets
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_MaterialReconcilingItemsMember
      (341,656)us-gaap_Assets
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_MaterialReconcilingItemsMember
(198,184)us-gaap_Assets
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_MaterialReconcilingItemsMember
(169,379)us-gaap_Assets
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_MaterialReconcilingItemsMember
Interest income                 5us-gaap_InterestIncomeOperating
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_MaterialReconcilingItemsMember
0us-gaap_InterestIncomeOperating
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_MaterialReconcilingItemsMember
14us-gaap_InterestIncomeOperating
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_MaterialReconcilingItemsMember
Interest expense                 9,701us-gaap_InterestExpense
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_MaterialReconcilingItemsMember
10,448us-gaap_InterestExpense
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_MaterialReconcilingItemsMember
10,810us-gaap_InterestExpense
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_MaterialReconcilingItemsMember
Noncash items:                      
Depreciation and amortization                 0us-gaap_DepreciationAndAmortization
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_MaterialReconcilingItemsMember
0us-gaap_DepreciationAndAmortization
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_MaterialReconcilingItemsMember
0us-gaap_DepreciationAndAmortization
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_MaterialReconcilingItemsMember
Pension income (expense)                 0us-gaap_PensionExpense
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_MaterialReconcilingItemsMember
0us-gaap_PensionExpense
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_MaterialReconcilingItemsMember
0us-gaap_PensionExpense
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_MaterialReconcilingItemsMember
Income tax provision                 (13,591)us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_MaterialReconcilingItemsMember
(12,313)us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_MaterialReconcilingItemsMember
(12,357)us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_MaterialReconcilingItemsMember
Capital expenditures                 0us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_MaterialReconcilingItemsMember
0us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_MaterialReconcilingItemsMember
0us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_MaterialReconcilingItemsMember
Property, plant, and equipment $ 1us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNet
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_MaterialReconcilingItemsMember
      $ 1us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNet
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_MaterialReconcilingItemsMember
      $ 1us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNet
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_MaterialReconcilingItemsMember
$ 1us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNet
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_MaterialReconcilingItemsMember
$ 1us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNet
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_MaterialReconcilingItemsMember
[1] The components of income before income taxes and the provision for income taxes relate to continuing operations.