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The ShM-41 (Russian: Шлем Маска - "Helmet Mask"), also exported to East Germany as the SchM-41-M, was a Soviet mask intended for infantry use. Similar designs were used throughout the Warsaw pact, and the ShM-41 itself was exported to many Soviet countries.

Overview[]

The mask is a typical Soviet helmet styled rubber mask. With two circular eyepieces that can fit anti-fogging inserts but also has an integrated Tissot tubes system. The valves' housing is made out of metal which is painted dark tan and has a 40mm GOST thread. The mask was made in 5 sizes.

ShM-41[]

It differs from the ShM-1 mainly on the stronger valve housing, because now it is crimped on not just glued. It has an integrated Tissot tube system and anti-fogging lens insert fixing rings now.

ShM-41M[]

Differs from the previous model on the valve housing which has now double exhale valve to make a better seal. Later around 1958, the valve house was modernized, it got a stronger one made of thicker metal reinforced with geometric shapes (a negative ring indent on the side) and used higher quality less flaky paint.

ShM-41MU[]

Just like the better-known GP-5 the u (Russian: "y") stands for the thinner rubber. This was the only change

SchM-41-M[]

East German export variant called Schutzmaske. Germany didn't produce masks so the masks were bought from the Soviet Union. It can be all the 3 previous variants. The most common variant is an export variant from the USSR, the variant has a green valve assembly. The DDR also made a foam face insert for both the ShM-41 and BSS-MO-4U masks used to reduce dead space in the hood.

ÜSchM-41-M[]

Übungsschutzmaske, training variant in DDR. Only difference was a training filter.

Export[]

In the late 1970s Vietnam and Libya placed custom orders for ShM-41MU masks made of black neoprene, these orders were fulfilled by Tambov and Yaroslavl. Most batches went to Vietnam and Libya. Later Syria would place orders along with Iraq, both nations placed small orders since they had other masks (Yugo M-1 and M85 (Iraq)for Iraq and ShMS for Syria). Its also possible small numbers were produced for Soviet domestic use in Afghanistan and for Industry. Contrary to common belief, Egypt never used the ShM-41 in large numbers and mainly used the Czechoslovak M60 and Polish SzM-41M with M60 kits.

ShMP[]

The ShMP (ШМП, Russian: Шлем Маска Промышленный - Helmet Mask Industrial) is a designation for helmet-styled masks used in the industry (mainly ShM-62 and ShM-41 variants). Most of the ShM-41 masks under ShMP designation were military masks but were withdrawn from service. There is a "ШМП" stamp on the outside.

History[]

The origin of the Soviet ShM-41 dates back to World War II, where the ShM-1 gas mask was a standard Red Army issue mask. The 'Hood Style' however dates back to World War I, pioneered as the Zelinsky Kummant gas mask. It is the most popular gas mask model in the Soviet military using the hood layout. The mask evolved and its construction held different markings. Several licensed copies of the mask were used in Warsaw Pact countries during the Cold War, including the Polish SzM-41, SzM-41M, SzM-41M KF (the MP6 and the MK-221 and MK-212/1 as well); the Bulgarian BSS-MO-4U; Hungarian 60M (Hungary also imported ShM-41 masks in small numbers as SM-41); the Czechoslovak M52 and M60 and the Romanian MD52, MD58 and P2085. The ShR-1 casualty gas mask is based on it as well.

China also copied the mask and used as Type 59, China made and other copy but with a plastic valve named Type 66. The Chinese TF-1 is also based of the ShM-41m.

Later masks such as the ShM-62 (GP-5 and its updated variant PMK-G), ShM-66mu, ShM-70, ShM-74 and ShM-2012 were inspired by it.

Markings[]

Factory:

  • "M" = Moscow
  • "С" = Saratov
  • "T" = Tambov
  • "Я" = Yaroslavl
  • (Moscow and Yaroslavl made the most masks.)

Date:

  • 1 Dot = Made between January - March
  • 2 Dots = Made between April - June
  • 3 Dots = Made between July - September
  • 4 Dots = Made Between October - December

The "y" - u - at the end of the size means it is an upgraded version with thinner rubber.

Filter[]

Flat canisters and "coffee can" filters would be hose connected. Including: MO-2, MT-4, EO-12, EO-14, EO-16, industrial Strela Filters and various other filters depending on the user country and organization.

Kit[]

BS MO-2[]

The last Soviet gas mask kit issued to the Red Army during the Second World War. It contained:

  • ShM-41 (or ShM-1) mask
  • M1940/1941 or Type A bag (without side pocket)
  • MO-2 filter
  • 40mm stockinette or rubber GOST hose
  • anti-fogging inserts

MO-4 and MO-4u[]

The MO-4 kit was adopted by the Soviet Army in 1946. It contained:

  • ShM-41 or ShM-41m facepiece
  • Type A bag (without side pocket)
  • MO-4 filter
  • 40mm stockinette GOST hose
  • NP anti-fogging inserts
  • NMU insulating lenses
  • insulating sleeve (only if the mask is ShM-41)
  • IPP-51

Insulating Sleeve[]

The insulation sleeve was a removable rubber attachment for the ShM-41, but it also fits other ShM series masks. It was made as extra protection from frost, because of the single exhale valve of the Shm-41/ShM-1. The insulation sleeve is quite rare.

RSh-4[]

Main article: RSh-4

It replaced the MO-4u kit in 1958. It completed with an ShM-41/ShM-41m/ShM-41mu facepieces and EO-16 filter or EO-14 filter. The Type A bag that contains the three main components, hose, filter and facepiece and and a little pocket inside for anti-fogging lenses and side pocket for IPP-51 decontamination kit. It comes with NMU insulating lenses and if the mask is a ShM-41 with the insulating sleeve as well. The RSh-4 kit is also compatible with the ShMS facepiece and the MM-1, all masks produced in the 50s and 60s.

RSch-4[]

In East Germany (NVA, Zivilverteidigung, Kampfgruppe) first it was issued with a simple Tragetasche 1 bag (similar to the Soviet Type A bag) in "Blumentarnmuster" camouflage pattern alongside with SchMS, MM-1 and PRWU. Then a simpler bag without camouflage and a waterproof PVC coated bag was issued (all called Tragetasche 1), to scouts the Tragetasche 1T bag in "Strichtarn" pattern was issued.

PRV[]

Rocket refueling kit, compatible with the ShM-41m and ShM-41mu facepieces but the most common was the ShM-41mu because the negative bump on the valve housing makes it easier to fix the hose cover.

The kit contained:

  • ShM-41m or ShM-41mu facepiece
  • hose and hose cover
  • EO-20-P rocket fuel pre-filter
  • EO-20-K rocket fuel filter
  • bag

D2gu[]

Industrial kit. The mask can be either ShM-41, ShM-41m, ShM-41mu or ShMP with a most likely Type A bag, hose and industrial Strela Filters.

Hungarian kit[]

The Magyar Néphadsereg (Hungarian People's Army) and Polgári védelem (Civil Defense) used the mask (mostly ShM-41) with a 60M kit instead of the 60M mask sometimes, it was called SM-41. The highest number in military service was approximately 50000, these were imported in 1962.

The industry used the ShMP (mostly ShM-41mu, it was called sisakgázálarc - "helmet mask") in a standard industrial kit containing an industrial bag which was similar to military ones but way cheaper, hose, industrial filter and anti-fogging inserts or soap. It was used with fresh air breathing apparatuses as well.

Users[]

  • Flag-su-sa Советская Армия (Soviet Army)

  • Flag-dd-nva Nationale Volksarmee (DDR People's Army)

  • Flag-ddr-kg Kampfgruppen der Arbeiterklasse (Worker's Militia)

  • Flag-ddr-zd Zivilverteidigung (DDR Civil DefenceFlag-civil-defence)

  • Flag-hu-mn Magyar Néphadsereg (Hungarian People's Army)

  • Flag-hu-pv Polgári védelem (Civil DefenceFlag-civil-defence)

  • Flag-vn-pavn Quân đội Nhân dân Việt Nam (Vietnamese People's Army)

  • Flag-eg-qbm القوات البرية المصرية‎ (Egyptian Army)

  • Flag-cn-pla 中国人民解放军 (Chinese people's Liberation Army)

  • Flag-al-ups Ushtria Popullore Shqiptare (Albanian Aeople's Army)

  • Flag-sy-saa القوات البرية المصرية‎ (Syrian Arab army)

  • Flag-industry-2-2 Industry

  Flag-kp North Korea

Korea People's Army (조선인민군}

  • Flag-bg-bna Българска народна армия (Bulgarian People's Army)

References[]

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