The SzM-41M (trade symbol OM-14) is a Polish licensed variant of the Russian ShM-41M. It was also similar to the Bulgarian BSS-MO-4U and Hungarian 60M. During the 1970s and 1980s, production ran concurrently alongside the upgraded SzM-41M KF version. Production ceased in 1989.
Mask[]
The mask, (Like the GP-5) 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 E-014 canister filter. The MK-221 is based on the rubber facepiece of this mask.
Different versions[]
The production of SzM-41M started in late 50s. The earliest version of the mask was produced with a painted valve chamber and clothed hose. The hood was made out of the same type of rubber which was used in the production of SzM-41 masks. In the early 60s masks were produced with rims made out of electroplated metal and a green rubber hose. Since 1964 all metal parts including the valve chamber were made out of electroplated metal with a characteristic pinkish shine.
Filter[]
The earliest kits from the late 50s included Soviet MO-2 filter. Later kits included Polish E-014 filter. The mask may come with other filters (industral version). It is not known by report if this filter contains asbestos-like most coffee can style filters.
Bag[]
There were at least several patterns for the SzM-41M gas mask bags. They differed in the material used (in the camouflage pattern wz 58 rainy, brownish, greenish or gummed) and details (additional waistband or straps regulating the bag's width). The earliest kits from late 50s included old type bags, which were used with SzM-41 masks. In the mid-1980s, cotton belts were replaced with stylon belts. At the end of the 1980s, bags of green gummed material, the same as in the MP-4B mask bags, began to be produced.
Typically military bags have loops for carrying the bag on the belt. For civil defense and industry, bags were produced with a waist belt to stabilize the bag during work (however, military bags were also directed there).
The kits commonly came with a light green bag. The bag contains four pockets. One is for the mask, another for the hose, and the last large one is for the coffee-can filter. The last pocket is either for an IPP-51 or medical supplies.
Foreign use[]
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.
The filter isn't EO-14, but E-014. Poles used different naming system than Soviets.
OM-14 is a trademark name.
Gallery[]
