The SCM-41 is a German-made filter issued to Italian troops fighting in Africa.
History[]
Soon after Italy entered the war, the army realized that the British in Africa might decide to use hydrogen arsenide and hydrogen cyanide, substances that were not filtered efficiently enough by the current Italian filters. Because of that, the director of the SCM asked to purchase 100.000 German filters, and his request was authorised (the production run cost 280.000 Reichsmarks). Those filters were produced to fit Italian masks and were designated as SCM-41. After the filters arrived in Italy, the High Command decided to send 40.000 filters in West-Africa and 60.000 in North-Africa, stating that to fully provide the standing armies in those locations, respectively 100.000 and 200.000 more would have to be provided. During January 1941 those filters were shipped to the designated locations, but the command in West-Africa stated that the filters wouldn't be needed anymore. Of the 40.000 refused filters, 10.000 would be sent to North-Africa.
Later on, as the invasion of Russia approached, a request for 300.000 more filters was proposed, but most likely not approved.
After the end of the War, this filter continued to be issued until the '80s to both T.35 and M59 masks mostly for training.
Overview[]
The filter is based on the Fe37RTp (Tp = tropen, meaning tropical) and Fe41, the biggest differences are the addition of an external sealing to allow Italian masks to mount it and a plastic plug at the inlet, held by a string.
The blocking substances inside the filter were the same used with either the Fe37Rtp of the Fe41 (depending on the time they were made). The activated charcoal was treated with silver nitrate and copper sulphate, used to neutralize hydrogen arsenide and hydrogen cyanide.
Sources[]
- IL SERVIZIO CHIMICO MILITARE 1923-1945, book 1