37. S-Mine Fuze 44 (S-Minenzünder 44; S.Mi.Z. 44)

a. Description. The S-Mine fuze 44 (fig. 40) is an instantaneous, mechanical type contai-ning a spring-loaded striker with a lever-arm release. It is housed in a cylindrical metal case and the overall length of the fuze is 4 inches. The striker is held in a cocked posi-tion by two winged striker-retaining arms. The two projections on the inner side of each striker-retaining arm fit into a hole and into a slot in the end of the striker shaft. The base of each striker-retaining arm is held in place by a rom on the top of the fuze body. The force of the compressed striker spring is enough to hold the striker-retaining arms together after the safety pin is removed and thus keep the striker in a cocked position. The hole in each arm is for a trip wire which, if pulled, pulls the striker-retaining arm away from the top of the striker, releasing the striker against the percussion cap.

b. Employment. This fuze was designed for use with the S-Mine 44 (par. 86), but was so dangerous to handle and arm that it was seldom employed.

c. Functioning.

(1)

Pressure. Pressure of about 20 pounds on the top of the striker-retaining arms for-ces them outward, releasing the spring-loaded striker against the percussion cap firing the detonator.

(2)

Pull. Pull of about 14 pounds on a trip wire attached to the trip-wire hole in  one or both of the striker-retaining arms, pulls out the arm and releases the striker against the percussion cap firing the detonator.

d. Installing and Arming.

(1)

Remove the shipping cap from the base of the fuze.

(2)

Insert a detonator in the base of the fuze and screw the fuze into an S-mine 44.

(3)

If desired, attach anchored trip wires to the trip-wire holes in the striker-retaining arms.

(4)

Carefully pull out the safety pin. This must be done by hand since a sudden pull on the safety pin might dislodge the striker-retaining arms.

e. Neutralizing.

(1)

Carefully insert a nail or wire through the safety pin holes in the striker-retaining arms.

(2)

Cut any trip wires attached to the striker-retaining arms.

(3)

Unscrew the fuze from the mine and remove the detonator.

f. Packing. Fifteen fuzes are packed in a cardboard box.

Figure 40. S-mine fuze 44.