The SzM-41M is a Polish licensed variant of the Russian ShM-41M. From 1966 to 1990, production ran concurrently alongside the upgraded SzM-41M KF version. Production ceased in 1990.
The name of SzM-41M produced on industrial purposes is MU (Maska Uniwersalna - All-purpose Mask). Trade code of MU is OM-14.
The mask is made of latex rubber. It has a larger intake valve like the ShM-41 Soviet mask. The SzM-41M is made to be used with a hose due to the heavy EO-14 or BSS-MO-4u canister filter. The MK-221 and MP-6 (civil) is based on the rubber facepiece of this mask.
Versions[]
First version (1958 - 1960): direct evolution of SzM-41, thick gray rubber and galvanized parts
Second version (1961 - 1963): thinner and brighter rubber, cadmium plated rims
Third version (1964 - early 1966): cadmium plated valve chamber
Valve chambers of third (left) and second (right) versions: no visible changes in construction
Fourth version (1966 - early 1969): setting plate of outer exhale valve is removed and the rim around this valve is lowered (not in early masks from first half of 1966)
Two types of valve chambers in fourth version: first half of 1966 (left) and later (right)
Valve chamber of fourth version with lowered rim
Fifth version (1969 - 1990): the rim around of the outer exhale valve is cut just next to threaded connection
Valve chamber of fifth version - visible cut next to threaded connection
Production markings of rubber factory[]
A - size, B - form number, C - rubber factory number, D - year and quarter of rubber production
1958 - 1961: A - rubber factory number, B - rubber production date
1962 - 1990: A - rubber factory number, B - rubber production date
Production markings of mask factory[]
1958 - 1960: A - mask factory number, B - month and year of mask production
1961 - 1969: A - mask factory number, B - month and year of mask production
1970 - 1990: A - mask factory number, B - month and year of mask production, C - unknown, probably batch number
Filter[]
SzM-41M have been used with EO-14[1] (1958 - 1966) and BSS-MO-4u filters (1967 - 1990). BSS-MO-4u filters are wrongly named E-014 (this name doesn't exist in any documents) and there is no official explanation for this marking[2].
EO-14 have been produced by Factory no. 397 and BSS-MO-4u by Factory no. 298.
EO-14 versions[]
First version (1958 - 1959): MO-2 corpse and markings with additional EO-14 on top
Second version (1960 - 1961): changed corpse and markings with EO-14 on top
Third version (1962 - 1963): E-O14 (not zero) marking on top
Fourth version (1964 - 1965): E-O-14 marking on top
Fifth version (1966): thinned markings
Markings:[]
A - codename, B - factory number, C - month and year of production, D - batch number, E - serial number, F - unconfirmed, probably bottom filter codename, G - weight
(does not apply to first version) H - month and year of corpse production, B - factory number
BSS-MO-4u versions[]
First version (1967): stamped E-014
BSS-MO-4u first version (1967): filter inlet
BSS-MO-4u second version (1968 - early 1969): embossed E-014
BSS-MO-4u third version (1969 - 1990): shiny paint
BSS-MO-4u third version (1969 - 1990): filter inlet
Markings[]
A - unconfirmed, wrongly considered as a filter codename, B - factory number
C - month and year of production, D - batch number, E - serial number, F - weight
Bag[]
There are multiple versions of SzM-41M bags. After 1964 they are divided into military and non-military bags.
Some informations about production years are incomplete. Years in brackets are the only known and confirmed by production stamps.
Versions before 1965[]
(1952 - 1960): also used with SzM-41 (1952 - 1958), produced by LZKT
(1961 - 1964): added external pocket, wz.58 pattern and changed fastening, produced by LZKT
Military bags[]
Military bags were meant to use by Polish People's army. On the back there is a special fastening with carabiner and d-ring to use with military suspenders. Military bags have been also used by other formations, despite of the other type of bags designed for them.
First version (1965): wz.58 pattern, produced by LZKT
First version (1965): back
Second version (1966 - 1969): removed wz.58 pattern, multiple, randomized colours, produced by LZKT
Third version (1970 - 1971): standarized, grayish colour, produced by SIR Ostrowiec
Fourth version (1973): some straps are brown, added nametag, produced by LZKT
Fifth version (1975 - 1980): green straps, shortened loops on the back, produced by POLKAP
Fifth version (1975 - 1980): back
Sixth version (1979 - 1980): some straps are brown, produced alongside with fifth version in 1979 - 1980, produced by SIR Ostrowiec
Seventh version (1981 - 1989): nylon straps, produced by SIR Ostrowiec
Eighth version (1990): rubberised, produced by LZKT
Non-military bags[]
These bags were meant for paramilitary formations and civilians. The carrying belt is mounted at 45-degrees angle. These bags haven't been produced for industry.
First version (1970 - 1971): brownish colour, produced by SIR Ostrowiec
Second version: (1972 - 1973): grayish colour, nametag added, produced by SIR Ostrowiec
Third version (1974): some straps are brown, produced by SIR Ostrowiec
Fourth version (1976 - 1980): changed fastening to metal button, produced by SIR Ostrowiec
Markings[]
A - producer, B - month and year of production
Hose versions[]
First version (1952 - first half of 1960): fabric coated, galvanized threads, also used with SzM-41 (1952 - 1958)
Second version (second half of 1960): black rubber, galvanized threads
Third version (1961 - 1965): green rubber, cadmium plated threads
Fourth version (1966 - 1990): black rubber, cadmium plated threads
Markings[]
A - factory number, B - month and year of production
Kit[]
SzM-41M is a part of EO-14 or BSS-MO-4u kit. Name of the kit depends on filter type[3]. BSS-MO-4u kits are divided on military and non-military kits. Kit contained SzM-41M facepiece, hose, filter, bag, antifog inserts and personal decontamination kit IPP-51 or IPP-51M.
1965: SzM-41M v3, hose v3, EO-14 v4, military bag v1
Early 1966: SzM-41M v3, hose v4, EO-14 v5, military bag v2
1966: SzM-41 v4, hose v4, EO-14 v5, military bag v2
BSS-MO-4u military kits[]
1967: SzM-41M v4, hose v5, BSS-MO-4u v1, military bag v2
1968-early 1969: SzM-41M v4, hose v5, BSS-MO-4u v2, military bag v2
1969: SzM-41M v5, hose v5, BSS-MO-4u v3 military bag v2
1970-1971: SzM-41M v5, hose v5, BSS-MO-4u v3, military bag v3
1972: SzM-41M v5, hose v5, BSS-MO-4u v3, military bag v4
1975-1980: SzM-41M v5, hose v5, BSS-MO-4u v3, military bag v5
1979-1980: SzM-41M v5, hose v5, BSS-MO-4u v3, military bag v6
1981-1989: SzM-41M v5, hose v5, BSS-MO-4u v3, military bag v7
1990: SzM-41M v5, hose v5, BSS-MO-4u v3, military bag v8
BSS-MO-4u non-military kits[]
1970-1971: SzM-41M v5, hose v5, BSS-MO-4u v3, non-military bag v1
1972-1973: SzM-41M v5, hose v5, BSS-MO-4u v3, non-military bag v2
1974: SzM-41M v5, hose v5, BSS-MO-4u v3, non-military bag v3
1976-1980: SzM-41M v5, hose v5, BSS-MO-4u v3, non-military bag v4
MU[]
SzM-41M produced for industry is named MU (Maska Uniwersalna - All-purpose Mask). Its trade code is OM-14. Mask has been selled with antifog inserts, short manual and label, all packed in transparent plastic bag. Mask could becompleted with various industrial filters hoses and bags.
Industrial bags haven't got outside pockets.
MU description from industrial catalog
Foreign uses[]
The SzM-41M mask was exported to Egypt at least from the mid-1960s. The SzM-41M was used by the Egyptian military and police in Czechoslovak M60 kits or sometimes Soviet kits, One of the last uses of the SzM-41M masks in Egypt were the 2011 riots where masks were used by both police and protesters. They are also issued with a unique Egyptian made camouflage ALICE pouch which is integrated into the current web gear of the Egyptian Armed Forces.
The SzM41M masks are also visible in the photos from the 1982 Sabra and Shatila massacre where they were worn by Lebanese paramedics.
Trivia[]
The mask was nicknamed "elephant".
Polish soldiers complained about the chin, which can fold and break the seal.
The "SzM" part of the name doesn't mean anything in Polish, it's just transleterated (not translated) from the Cyrillic ШМ.
The shiny parts aren't chromium, but cadmium.
E-014 is wrongly considered as a name of the filter. Proper names for filter are EO-14 or BSS-MO-4u, depending on version[2].
FASER isn't the manufacturer of SzM-41M and MU masks. They've been produced by Factory no. 397 (1958 - 1966) and Factory no. 298 - WSK PZL Warszawa II (1967 - 1990).
"95" marking molded on rubber doesn't mean a country code. It's number of the rubber factory. There are known 3 rubber producers: Factory no. 64 (SzM-41 and its hoses), Factory no. 95 (most of Polish gas masks) and Factory no. 105 (Ma-1 from 50s, protective suits and more).
OM-14 is a trademark name and refers only to MU (industrial version).
Gallery[]
List of kit parts added to crate with BSS-MO-4u kits with their proper naming
"Ochrona Przed Skażeniami w Obronie Cywilnej Część II", MON 1981 - book for Polish Civil Defense about CBRN protection
Inside the bag
Fourth version of SzM-41M produced from 1966 to early 1969
Anti-fog lenses
Manual for anti-fog lenses
Size 3
Rubber production date - 1967
Some of SzM-41M military bags
Last version of non-military bag
Egyptian police use SzM41M masks during protests in 2011.
References[]
"Tymczasowe przepisy o przechowywaniu, przeglądach oraz przewożeniu sprzętu i materiałów służby chemicznej", MON, 1954
"Ochrona Przed Skażeniami w Obronie Cywilnej Część II", MON, 1981
"Instrukcja Wojsk Chemicznych, Indywidualne Środki Ochrony Przed Skażeniami", MON, 1964
