Swedish Typ 32 Folkgasmask
Manufacturer: Gullmaren Preserving Co AB, Lysekil, Sweden
Model: Typ 32 Folkgasmask (Sats GSK I C 32)
Country: Sweden
Year: 1955
Size: 3 (small adult)
Condition: As new in sealed tin and inner bag. Perfect.
Vendor: Seller SFrankish on eBay
Price: £12.99 + £3.40 shipping
Shipped from: UK
Looking good for a 62 year old!
First impressions
I was late night eBay surfing looking for something a little different when up pops this interesting looking Swedish mask.
Interesting because these typ 32's sold on eBay are over 60 years old and are still sealed in their original storage canisters.
Considering what's on offer here these kits represent an absolute bargain and i couldn't ignore them.
I ordered mine from a well known eBay surplus store in the UK.
The only size available seems to be size 3 - the smallest. This shortage of the larger sizes seems to be endemic across the internet. Most Google images of the Typ 32 are the size 3.
Presumably sizes 1 and 2 must be rare and command a higher price.
A little bit about the Typ 32 Folkgasmask
In the case of this particular gas mask it really is a little bit.
There is absolutely no information regarding the history, use or anything to do with this mask - almost as if it never existed?
All I do know is that it was made in 1955.
Sweden was historically a neutral nation during the first and second world wars and continued it's neutrality after 1945. Sweden chose not to side with either NATO or the Soviet pact during the 1950's yet still manufactured gas masks for its people.
Those who are paying attention will notice the similarities between this mask and the WW2 British Civilian Respirator
It's basically the same kind of mask except it has two round eye pieces instead of the British one piece visor.
This tin was sealed when i got it.
Unlike most old gas masks the Swedish Typ 32 comes in a handy storage canister. No need for a cloth haversack it would seem.
As the gas mask was only designed to be used once, a cardboard canister which could be chucked away at the same time was a better idea.
One nice thing i like about this gas mask carrier is the inclusion of the instructions printed on the side.
It would save a lot of time if the instructions were printed on the outside as well as inside. The wearer could familiarise themselves with the drill before even breaking open the seals and getting the mask out.
Due to my over eagerness i decided to open the cardboard canister and break the seals.
Once the metal lid was removed the first thing to come out was the instructions pamphlet complete with a tube of something stuck to the back.
Next out of the canister is the mask itself. It is still sealed in the original plastic bag.
Lastly at the very bottom is a small piece of sack cloth? Presumably for cleaning something?
British style pepper pot filter
The Typ 32 mask is a much better version of the british civilian respirator of WWII.
The filter, rubber, eye lens and straps on this mask are much better quality and seem to have be built to a more generous budget.
These type of one piece-one use masks are simple in design.
They do not feature any anti-fog capabilities or voice diaphragm or drinking system, they are just simple no nonsense gas masks.
Inside is a basic inhale valve feeding straight from the filter built into the nose.
As no exhale valve exists, the exhaust gases find their way out of the mask via the sides.
The two eyes lens on this mask are made from a primative form of plexiglass and not glass as i first thought.
When looking through the eye holes i found that the field of vision was actually very good. Much better than the single visor piece found on its British ancestor from the war.
Safety pin fastenings
The fixing system on this mask leaves a lot to be desired.Once the correct size was determined a safety pin had to hold each strap in place. I don't fancy the thought of stabbing my fingers indescriminately when fumbling around with the basic fitting. It's not the best way of strapping the mask up but thats how it was in those days.
The instructions pamphlet is quite comprehensive and straightforward (if you know Swedish)
Those who don't can easily work out what to do by following the old black and white photos placed throughout.
Tube of anti-fog cream stuck to the back...Nice...
Stuck to the back of the paper instructions was this tube of Skydd pasta - protective paste.
I'm still trying to work out exactly what this stuff is but it seems to be an unknown quantity.
I think it's probably a tube of anti-fog cream for smearing on the inside of the plexiglass lens or a decontamination cream of some sort?
Ripped from a sack of spuds?
One can only assume that this tatty looking square of sacking cloth is there for some kind of cleaning purpose? It's not mentioned in the instructions.
This cloth has to be the worst thing to use on the eye lens (if that's what it's there for) the cloth itself is not the softest. I think a piece of lint free stuff would have sufficed. Perhaps old potato sacks were all the Swedes had at the time?
Contains Asbestos - wearing the mask is NOT recommended!
This mask was never going to fit me properly, i knew that, but i was surprised how close it came to being a nice fit. It is just a little too small. Anyway, I'm not planning on wearing this mask again as there is a good chance the filter may contain Asbestos. Apparently Asbestos is only really a health hazard when it is airborne in the form of a dust. Many of the old WWII gas masks have got bashed about over the years which could have disturbed the layers of Asbestos inside the filter.
I don't mind trying the Typ 32 on however, as there can be no way that the filter had been damaged or degredated due to the way it has been neatly packaged and sealed air-tight.
Rating: ✅✅✅✅✅ 5 out of 5
Finding a near perfect gas mask of this age is normally pretty difficult. However, these fantastic Swedish offerings are in easy reach at the moment.
These masks are still sealed from when they left the Gullmaren factory in 1955. A great addition to any collection and dirt cheap too! I'm now going to buy another and this time leave it sealed!