20. Snap Fuze 43 (Short) (Knickzünder 43 (kurz); Kn.Z. 43)

a. Description. The snap fuze 43 (short) (fig. 23) is an instantaneous, mechanical type having a spring-loaded striker with a shear release. The principle of operation of this fuze is similar to that of the snap fuze 43/II (par. 19) execpt that the plastic shear rod is not used and the striker has a larger diameter. A shear groove is cut the striker shaft and the fuze case. The fuze is approximately 3 inches long and 7/8 of an inch in diameter.

b. Employment. This fuze was designed late in World War II to replace the pull fuze 42 (par. 42) in the bar mine 43 (par. 66).

c. Functioning.

(1)

A pressure of at least 150 pounds in the shear groove, or on the side of the fuze case above the shear groove, snaps the fuze case at the shear groove.

(2)

The pressure then bends the striker shaft and shears it off at its shear groove, re-leasing the spring-loaded striker against the percussion cap firing the detonator.

d. Installing and Arming.

(1)

Insert the detonator in the fuze.

(2)

Screw the fuze into the mine.

e. Neutralizing.

(1)

Unscrew the fuze from the mine.

(2)

Remove the detonator from the fuze.

Figure 23. Snap fuze 43 (short).