The Hungarian 60M is a licensed variant of the ShM-41m. The mask was issued to the Néphadsereg (Hungarian People’s Army), Munkásőrség (Worker’s Militia), Polgári védelem (Civil Defence) and to other organisations in the Belügyminisztérium (ministry of the interior) like Határőrség (Border guards) and Rendőrség (Police).
Overview[]
The mask is a typical Soviet helmet styled rubber (the rubber has a bit darker shade than on the ShM-41) mask. With two circular crimped-on eyepieces that can fit antifog inserts but it has also a Tissot tube system. The valve housing is made of metal which is painted dark green and has a 40mm GOST thread (the 67M has the same housing). It was made in 5 sizes, 0 being the smallest and 4 being the biggest.
Filter[]
Main article: 60M filter
The 60M filter (licensed MO-4, similar to the EO-12) is a big flat canister filter connected by a hose to the mask.
Kit and bag[]
The 60M bag is made of canvas. Inside there are 3 sections and 1 little pocket. The two same-sized parts are for the filter and the mask. There are 2 strips on the inner side of the filter part to fix the hose during use, although early production bags did not have this feature. The little pocket is for the antifog inserts. The big flat part is for the hose. For carrying it has an adjustable shoulder strap and an also adjustable waist strap connecting with a carabiner to a D-ring. The 60M features 4 straps on the front for fixing the 60M Összfegyvernemi védőkészlet (joint service general-purpose personal protective equipment) leg parts.
The 65M bag is the mix of the 60M and the 70M bag. The inside is the same as on the 60M while there are 70M styled outside pockets and straps for carrying. The biggest on the front is for the personal decontamination kit (SzVCs) while the two smaller ones on the sides are for the antidote injections against nerve agents (KÉPA) and for iodine pills. There are 4 canvas straps on the front. Those are for to fix the 60M and 67M Összfegyvernemi védőkészlet (joint service general-purpose personal protective equipment) leg parts.
The kit contained:
- 60M facepiece
- 60M filter with 60M (45mm) hose
- 51M, 60M or 65M bag
- 59mm antifog inserts in tin (x6) (or sometimes antifog soap)
Service[]
Magyar Néphadsereg (Hungarian People's Army)
Munkásőrség (Worker's Militia)
Belügyminisztérium (Ministry of the Interior)
The mask was used with 60M, 67M and 75M Összfegyvernemi védőkészlet (joint service general-purpose personal protective equipment) and with Könnyű gázvédő ruha (light gas protection suit) in the chemical troops and rocket fuel refillers. After the appearance of the 70M, the mask was first downgraded to M-zárolt (Mozgósítási zárolt - use only in case of war) and then decommissioned in 1979. Although the mask may have been used for training into the 1980s.
Polgári védelem (Civil Defence
)
The mask was used to heavy decontamination with the 60M (and later probably with 75M) Összfegyvernemi védőkészlet (joint service general-purpose personal protective equipment) because those were more suitable for civilian purposes than the 67M. The Könnyű gázvédő ruha (light gas protection suit) was also used with it. It was in service until 1989.
Industry
The industry started to use the mask instead of the 51M in jobs where better protection was necessary around 1970.
External information[]
License[]
The naturalization of the ShM-41m (BSS-MO-4) license was done by Lajos Kapeller and Miklós Holop in 1959-1960.
Manufacturers[]
The rubber facepieces were made by Taurus Gumiipari Vállalat and Tauril Gumigyár while the assembling was made by Műszaki Művek and after 1963 by Medicor. Medicor also produced the antifog inserts. The bags were made by Salgótarjáni Ruhagyár. The highest number in service by the Magyar néphadsereg was 415000 in 1969.
Export[]
Example of a Vietnamese issued 60M
In 1966 and 1967 all in all 98000 masks (including 51M) were handed over to North Vietnam as a gift. A similar situation occurred in 1978 but in smaller numbers, 6000 masks were sent to Mozambique.
Positions, donning and removing[]
References[]
- http://dia.osaarchivum.org/public/index.php?fs=1879&thumbnail=1
- Légoltalmi radiológiai-biológiai-vegyvédelmi alapismeretek (book-1965)
- Módszertani segédlet a rendszeresített egyéni vegyvédelmi eszközök használatára (book-1973)
- https://www.hadmernok.hu/154_09_halaszl_pi.pdf
- Magyar atom-, biológiai- és vegyi- (ABV) védelmi technikai almanch (2003)