66. Bar Mine 43 (Riegelmine 43; R-Mine 43; R.Mi. 43)

a. Description. The antitank bar mine 43 (fig. 75) is 31 1/2 inches long, 3 1/2 inches high, and 3 3/4 inches wide. It weighs 20.5 pounds, including 8.8 pounds of explosive. The mine has three main parts: a steel tray, the metal-encased main charge, and a steel lid which fits over the tray and acts as a pressure plate.

(1)

Tray. The tray is folded over at each end and slotted so the striker shafts of pull fuzes 42 will just clear the slots in these actauting plates. Holes for a safety bar and shear wire (on which the main charge rests) are located in the side of the tray at each end. A neutralizing hole is located in the bottom of the tray at each end for inserting a nail or wire. A hinged, spring-loaded shutter at each end of the tray clo-ses the safety-bar holes when the mine is armed. A swived clip covers the slotted actuating plates when the main charge is in place.

(2)

Main charge. The main charge has two main fuze wells, on each end of the charge, and three activating fuzes well, one in the top of the charge and two on one side. The main fuze wells are fitted with the pull fuze 42 (par. 42).

(3)

Steel lid. The steel lid has a carrying handle at one end; a pair slots at each end to slide over the safety bars; a pair of shear-wire hole at each end through which the shear wires are inserted, passed underneath the main charge, and bent over the top of the of the lid to hold the charge in place; and holes for the activating fuzes. The lid fits over the charge and the tray.

b. Employment. Because of its length, this mine is best employed in the support of road blocks and in junctions and turnouts. Fewer of these mines are necessary to block a road or to construct a mine filed than conventional round mines.

c. Functioning. A pressure of 400 pounds on either end of the lid, or 800 pounds on the center, shears one or both shear wires and forces the striker-retaining pin out of the striker shaft of one or both fuzes, releasing the spring-loaded striker against the percus-sion cap and firing the mine. Less pressure is required when thinner shear wires and used.

d. Installing and Arming.

(1)

Press down the spring-loaded shutters and insert the safety bars.

(2)

Screw a pull fuze 42 into the main fuze well in each end of the metal-encased main charge.

(3)

Open the swivel clips toward the ends of the mine and insert the main charge so it is resting on the safety bars with the wings of the fuze striker-retaining pins above the slotted shoulders on the ends of the tray. Close the swivel clips.

(4)

Place the lid over the main charge and thread the shear wires through the holes in the side of the lid. Pull the ends of the shear wire up and over the lid and fasten then as shown in figure 80.

(5)

Without the safety bars.

(6)

If activating is desired, screw any pull fuze with standard threads into an activating fuze well. Refer to chapter 5 for the correct procedure on installing and arming for the activating fuzes.

Note. By reversing one pull fuze 42 so its wings are below the slotted shoulder, the mine will function when an attempt is made to lift the main charge from the tray.

e. Neutralizing. Neutralizing this mine is dangerous, especially if the shear wires are rus-ted or thin shear wires are used. Whenever practicable, it should be destroyed in place by hand-placed charges or pulled loose from a distance of 50 yards with rope or wire and then destroyed in a safe place. If this mine must be neutralized, proceed as follows:

(1)

Check for and neutralize any activating fuzes in the normal manner.

(2)

Lift one end of the mine.

(3)

Insert a pencil, a 6-inch nail, or a stiff wire into the neutralizing hole in the bottom and press up on the spring-loaded shutter, clearing the safety bar hole.

(4)

Push a 6-inch nail through the safety-bar hole.

(5)

Repeat steps (2), (3), and (4) at the other end of the mine.

(6)

Carefully cut the shear wires and lift the lid.

(7)

Open both swivel clips and inspect the pull fuzes 42 to see if the wings of the stri-ker-retaining pins are under the slotted shoulder. If both wings are on top, lift out the metal-encased main charge. If one wing is underneath, raise the other end of the charge and carefully slide the charge out along the axis of the mine.

(8)

Unscrew and remove the fuzes.

f. Packing.

(1)

This mine is shipped singly in a wooden packing case with the main fuzes and the safety bars in position.

(2)

Protective paper strips cover the activating fuze wells in the lid. Cords attached to the safety bare are wound around the mines.

Figure 75. Bar mine 43.