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M/61

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The M/61 is a Finnish gas mask manufactured by Nokia from the early 1960s to the late 1980s. It was the standard-issue gas mask for the Finnish Defense Forces until ~1995. It is a side-loading mask (meaning the filter attaches to the side) and uses 60mm filters, with a 40mm adapter offered.

Overview[]

The M/61 gas mask was manufactured in Finland by Suomen Kumitehdas Nokia (Rubber Factory). This factory was integrated with other firms to form the Nokia Corporation in 1967. The filters were manufactured by Kemira Oy (now part of Scott Health & Safety, in turn part of Tyco International).

The M/61 was a copy of the US M9 gas mask with a few alterations. Most notably, the color of the M9A1 was a whitish-greenish mix, while this mask was a greyish-greenish or bluish-grey color. With the eyepiece frames being either painted either a matte grey, metallic grey, or metallic silver blue.

Sizing goes as follows:
Size Stamp Equivalent Size
1 Large
2 Medium
3 Small

There were several issued versions of the M/61 with four different faceblanks, two different exhale valves, and 2 exhale valve covers, which are simplified into three basic versions.

Versions[]

Faceblanks[]

  • Early Faceblank - The initial faceblank is an overall upgrade to the US M9 faceblank, including temple bars and pins similar to those present on the US M17, and an SA stamp on the forehead next to the size stamp. This faceblank was used solely for the Version 1. Early productions of this faceblank also used a head harness similar to the US C8 harness, which was the harness used on the M9 which included a nape strap and metal buckles. Later on they dropped the nape strap and made the buckles plastic, this plastic buckled design was used moving forward.
  • Mid-life Faceblank - Very similar to the initial faceblank produced from the 1970's to the early 1980's with the only differences being the "SA" stamp was removed and the Finnish Defense Forces watchtower being added to the cheek opposite of the filter. This faceblank was used for Version 2s and 3s.
  • Late Faceblank - Introduced around the mid to late 1980s, this faceblank removed the temple pins but retained the temple bars and added an inverted peripheral seal. Unfortunately, rubber mold issues and quality control problems plagued the masks using these faceblanks. These faceblanks were used on mid to late 1980s Version 2s and 3s.
  • Temple Bar-less Faceblank - At an unknown point in the late 1980s, the M/61 mold was modified to remove the temple bars from the mask. These are somewhat less common than the previous two faceblanks. It can be assumed this was a measure taken to further simplify the mold. Like the previous faceblank, these are only found on Version 2s and 3s.

Exhale Valves[]

  • Basic Exhale Valve - Similar to the US C15 exhale valve as found on the M9, the primary differences are it being made of a charcoal grey plastic with an indentation and lip for the exhale valve cover to stretch over as compared to the post system of the C15. These exhale valves were used on the Version 1 and 2. With the Version 1 valve cover being similar to the C15 valve cover and the Version 2 being longer and similar to the Skyddsmask 51's valve cover. The covers also have habit of getting turned around and angling in directions other than downwards.
  • Advanced Exhale Valve - This assembly is a marked improvement over the previous valve. It takes the form of a charcoal grey plastic assembly with a voice diaphragm and a downwards facing exhale valve. On the diaphragm cover it features the Finnish Defense Forces watch tower. On the exhale valve there is a cover which clips on and has improved moisture handling as compared the former valve due to the downward angle and the design which encourages condensation to drip out of the valve.

M/61 Version Guide[]

Version Faceblank Exhale Valve Valve Cover
Version 1 Early Basic Version 1 (Similar to C15 Cover), occasionally Version 2
Version 2 Mid, Late, Temple Bar-less Basic Version 2 (Longer similar to Skyddsmask 51)
Version 3 Mid, Late, Temple Bar-less Advanced N/A

The Kit[]

Carriers[]

Early Carrier[]

The M/61 with its three basic variants also came with two different carriers and several different accessories. The early carriers are of a tan canvas construction with "SA" on the front with lift-the-dot tabs being the method of opening and closing the carrier. Inside the carrier there is a large space for a mask, and a space for the filter which is secured with an elastic band. The compartmentalization which exists is solely for the accessories. This carrier is typically seen with Version 1s to Early 1980's Version 2s and 3s.

Late Carrier[]

This carrier is somewhat smaller than the former carrier and the material while the same is about a quarter of the thickness and is a less saturated tan color. It utilizes the same lift-the-dot tabs and the "SA" stamp is replaced with the Finnish Defense Forces watchtower. The compartmentalization is improved, with a pocket for the filter and flaps to keep the accessories in place with the early carrier lacked.

Filters[]

The Suodatin 61 filter was created to be paired with the M/61. It can be best described as a high quality copy of the US M11 filter. Which has it feature a very similar internal and external design, using similar ASC charcoal for its filtering. The date of the charcoal is on the filter itself as well alongside the date of manufacture for the filter. It also has an NSN number, a weight in grams, and "TARK" printed onto it.

Duck sd 61

Created by TheFatDuck/Bastarf

Kit Accessories[]

M/61 kits alongside the mask and filter typically contain the following accessories.

  • 40mm Adapter (optional)
  • Anti-fog wipes
  • Atropine Pens (optional)
  • Decontamination Powder
  • Gauze (used to apply powder)
  • Instructional Pamphlet
  • Two Pairs of Gloves (One pair of cotton, the other of plastic, and only found in kits before the mid 1980s)

History[]

The mask was initially produced and used in Finland by the Puolustusvoimat (Finnish Defence Forces).

There exists a handful of orange colored M/61's, It's speculated that they were some of the first M/61's produced. The rubber is the same color as on the M/38. However so little is known about these masks that it can't be properly deduced if they were production, experimental, or prototypes. It should be noted that the rubber molding seems to be worse than production models of the mask, with rubber flash visible around the deflectors.

A number of first model M/61 masks were purchased and used by the Spanish Cuerpo Nacional de Policía (National police force).

After getting out of service, these masks became quite common on the surplus market, and they are often seen on the faces of protesters from all over the world.

Gallery[]

Sources[]

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