The M/49 was an upgrade to the M.1938 respirator, and was a continuation of domestic respirator production, as buying surplus respirators off the British was proving too expensive, and attempts to domestically produce Light Anti-Gas Respirators were proving unfruitful.
Mask[]
The M/49 was a continuation of the prior domestic design; the M.1938. The M/49 differed from the M.1938 in that the harness was riveted on, rather than sewn, and that the facepiece was of moulded rubber, rather than rubberised fabric. The filter connection was also changed from 42mm to 40mm.
The lens design was also changed, going from an easily maintained assembly which could be manipulated by the individual user, to something that required specialised tools. This was due, in part, to the new kit using anti-fog cloth and paste, rather than inserts like the prior M.1938.
The lenses themselves are screwed in by a retaining rim, applying pressure onto the triplex glass lens, forcing it against the rubber sealing gasket
The head harness was also slightly changed, moving the nape-strap loop up to prevent it from folding in under the harness, making it easier to properly guide the nape strap.
Aside from the carrier modification reserved for the army, the kit was identical to the M/45 kit, with the exception of facepiece, filter and manual. This particular kit included the following items:
- Beskyttelsesmaske, M/49.
- Filtrator, M.1949 or Filtrator, M.1947.
- British Light I or II Carrier with modified webbing connectors for the army. The home guard received unmodified carriers.
- 2x Protective Goggles/Eyeshields 2pcs.
- Anti-Dimming Cloth.
- Microfibre Cloth.
- Manual.
Sizes;[]
- L, "Lille", (Small).
- M, "Mellem", (Medium).
- S, "Stor", (Large).
M/49/53[]
The M/49/53 was an improvement of the prior M/49, featuring a new head harness, using two bands which hooked on two hooks, one on each side of the mask for tightening, much like the French system. It also had a more pronounced chin-rest, as well as different facepiece moulding to accommodate the new harness system, and means of affixing it.
The harness and neck carry strap is affixed by patches of rubber which are adhered onto moulded rough spots for better adhesion. Later on, due to soldiers ripping off the neck carry strap as part of the mask donning procedure by accident, the neck carry strap would be reinforced with a large rivet on each side.
Changes to the inlet valve seat and means of instillation were also done to ease production.
The kit would remain largely the same, with the main difference being the updated manual and that Filtrator, M.1947 wouldn't see use with the M/49/53.
Markings[]
M/49;[]
- Circle with crown and H.A. moulded into the rubber, found on the right cheek.
- Year, moulded into the facepiece on the right cheek next to the H.A. marking.
- Size, marked on the left cheek.
M/49/53;[]
- Circle with crown and FKF moulded into the rubber, found on the right cheek.
- Year, moulded into the facepiece on the right cheek next to the FKF marking.
- Size, marked on the left cheek.
- Mask designation, found under the size marking.
H.A. = Hærens Arsenal, Army's Arsenal.
FKF = Forsvarets Krigsforvaltning, Army's War Administration.