These fuzes are called snap fuzes because the shear strip or shear rod snaps when pres-sure is exerted on it. Snap fuzes were designed to detonate anti-tank mines in deep snow where the ordinary type of pressure fuze would be ineffective because of the ina-bility of snow to support a mine when pressure is exerted upon it. The fuze also was used in antitank mines laid in grassy or bushy areas to insure detonation of mines lying between the two tracks of tanks. Normally, only a few mines in a mine field were fitted with this type of fuze. The Germans developed four models of snap fuzes (pars. 18, 19, 20 and 21).

18. Snap Fuzes 43/I (Knickzünder 43/I; Kn.Z. 43/I)

a. Description. The snap fuze 43/I (fig. 21) is an instantaneous, mechanical type about 35 inches long with the extension rod screwed on. It has a spring-loaded striker with a shear-strip release, an extension rod, and a fuze case. The fuze can be screwed into any fuze well having standard threads. The extension rod, which consists of five sections of tube inside a metal sheat, contains a chain made up of metal hooks. The bottom hook of the chain is attached to a flat metal shear strip, the lower end of which is held to the hollow striker sleeve by a metal striker-sleeve pin. The upper end of the chain is threa-ded and passes through the top of the chain housing. The chain is held to the extension rod by two retaining nuts. A cylindrical safety pin prevents the shear strip from moving. One end of the safety pin has a safety-pin-removal wire attached to remove the pin from the fuze. The other end has a safety-pin-retaining wire attached tp prevent acci-dental removal of the safety pin.

b. Employment. This fuze is used in anti-tank mines buried in the ground or under snow. The extension rod of the fuze is camouflaged as a seedling or clump of high grass.

A sideward pressure exerted on the extension rod bends it, causing the chain to pull the shear strip upward.

This achtion raises the shear strip, the striker sleeve, the striker-sleeve pin, and the striker, compressing the striker spring until the buffer is reached.

Further pressure shears the shear strip at the shear groove releasing the spring-loaded striker.

The striker fires the percussion cap and the detonator.

Carefully stake the mine down to prevent the mine from tilting when the extension rod is bent.

Insert the detonator into the fuze.

Screw the fuze into the mine.

Remove the safety-pin-retaining wire.

Remove the safety pin by means of the attached safety-pin-removal wire.

e. Neutralizing. Do not move the extension rod. The fuze may have been partially broken or subject to blast, and any movement might cause detonation of the mine.

(1)

Replace the safety pin, using the original pin, a nail, or a heavy wire, and fix it firm-ly to the fuze by wiring it in place.

(2)

Unscrew the fuze from the mine.

(3)

Remove the detonator.

f. Packing. Seventy-five fuzes, in bundles of 15, are packed in a wooden box which also contains 5 small wooden boxes, each holding 15 detonators.

Figure 21. Snap fuze 43/I.