FM-3

Fatra Maska

Also

Lidová C, Model F, Fatra L "Lidová"

Preceded by	Succeeded by
FM-2	FM-4 CO-1

Filter connection
42mm

Made in

Czechoslovakia

Period

1938-1940s

Users

Issued to

Civilians

Industry

Manufacturer

Fatra, Chema, Kudrnáč

The Czechoslovak FM-3 was mainly produced for industrial and civilian purposes.

Mask overview[]

FM-3[]

The facepiece is made of moulded gray rubber. The round triplex eyepieces are held by black painted steel assemblies. The valve house is made of bakelite and clamped to the faceblank with a single metal strip. Instead of the Tissot-tube system on the previous FM-1 and FM-2 there is a bakelite cone on the intake which only allows the air to go upwards, defogging the eyepieces when inhaling. The 6 point head harness was simplified as well. The rubberised bands connect to moulded in metal buckles, there is a clamped metal part on the end of each strap which stops it in the buckle. There are two slabs on the back where the straps connect to and the harness can be adjusted there by two pull tabs.

FM-3a[]

The same as the normal FM-3 but it has a gray stockinette cover on the rubber and it has a carring carrying strap which connects to the bottom strap.

FM-3b[]

Not much is known about it.

FM-3c[]

It has textured faceblank. Also called as Lidová C. This variant has basic instructions inside the mask.

FM-3d[]

The rubber was made thicker near the buckles to make the faceblank stronger.

Markings[]

Several markings can be found on the mask, the most notable is the "FATRA" logo on the exhale valve (only on the ones which were made by Fatra). Most of them are stamps with legal and quality control meanings. The size of the mask can be found on the left temple (1-2-3).

Filter[]

Mostly FF-3 and CHF-1 filters were used with this mask.

Kit[]

Carriers for the mask vary, probably depending on the price, from cardboard tubes through canvas bags to sturdy metal canisters. Even the metal canister had two different types, one tall cylindrical similar to the Romanian and Italian carriers of the time period and a short but wide rectangular with rounded side.

The kit contained:

Mask
Filter
Carrier
Anti-fogging soap
Short manual

External information[]

Export and foreign use[]

Netherlands[]

Two companies in The Netherlands imported FM-3d masks. G.L. Loos & Co. Fabrieken N.V. form Fatra and Cidex N.V. from Kudrnač. Both were called Rijkskeur 026. Since Netherlands used 40mm filters, the mask features a refurbished 40mm thread.

Denmark[]

In Denmark it was distributed by Statens civile Luftværn (Danish: State Civil Air Force) as Arbejdsgasmaske Model F (Work gas mask Model F). The Danish government imported a bigger amount of FM-3 masks and with CHF-1 filters because the domestically produced M.1931 and M.1938 couldn't be produced in enough great numbers. Just like Czechoslovakia Denmark used 42mm filter so there were fewer models that used thread converters and didn't need them, just like the Danish produced M.1938 filter was used with the mask. The shoulder strap on the carrier is not adjustable, but the pamphlet suggest that it is to be tied like a knot on the shoulder strap at the desired length, while the rarest size is "1", perhaps no more than 5-10% of the total number of FM3d masks found in Denmark.

Finland[]

Finland imported FM-3d masks from Fatra in 1940-1941 probably because of the Winter War. The masks don't have any special markings but the CHF-1 filters which came with the mask have a SA stamp (Finnish: Suomen Armeija - Army of Finland). These masks also came with thread converters because Finland used 40mm filters while the FM-3 have 42mm connection.

Sweden[]

In Sweden a company called MEA Stockholm C. imported FM-3 masks from Fatra and distributed as Folkgasmask Fatra C. It was sold with FF-2 filter, bag, ant-fogging soap, manual. and sometimes a refurbished DIN 40mm thread.

Germany[]

After Germany invaded Czechoslovakia some masks were used by the Luftschutz (Nazi German Civil Defence) and by anti-aircraft units. On these masks, the Waffenamt proof stamp can be found, and most the times, Germany used 40mm thread adaptors for their gas mask.

Licenses and copies[]

Czechoslovakia (Chema)[]

Chema produced FM-3, FM-3c and FM-3d masks, the FM-3c was called Chema C.

Czechoslovakia (Kudrnáč)[]

Kudrnáč produced FM-3 and FM-3c and FM-3d masks with metal valve houses.

France (Vernon)[]

Main article: ANP-39

French licensed FM-3 for civilians. There are two variants, one with black faceblank and the other with gray.

Bulgaria (XEMA)[]

The Bulgarian subfactory of Chema in Sofia produced FM-3d masks and CHF-1 filters with DIN 40mm thread. The designation is unknown but there are speculations about that it is the Typ V however this is not official. These were marked with a stamp "ХЕМА софия" (Chema Sofia). The valve house for the Typ III and Typ IV were produced here as well.

China (various manufacturers)[]

Main article: Type 27

Chinese licensed FM-3 for military use, with minor differences in production.

Estonia (ETK, OÜ Delta, Põhjala)[]

Mani article: E-IV

Not much is known about the development of this mask but it is clearly visible that the facepiece is based on the FM-3. The valve housing is different and the exhale valve is on the right cheek. It is also not known if the mask was just copied or licensed.

Japan[]

Main article: Greater East Asia War Loot Gas Mask

Looted Chinese Type 27 masks were used in Japan after the Japanese invasion of Hong Kong.