86. S-Mine 44 (Bounding Shrapnel Mine) (S-Mine 44; S.Mi. 44)

a. Description. The antipersonnel S-mine 44 (fig. 105) is similar in size and appearance to the S-mine 35 (par. 85). It is 4 inches in diameter and 5 1/8 inches high and weighs a total of 9 pounds, including 5 pounds of explosive. The explosive is inserted through a filler hole in the coper plate. This mine differs from the S-mine 35 in that the fuze well is not centrally located but is at the side of the cover plate. The fuze well contains a 4 1/2 second delay pellet and a propelling charge. In the center of the cover plate is a detona-tor well for insertion of a detonator. At the base of the detonator well is a pull type, ball-release fuze. A pull wire, usually 2 1/2 feet long, ties the release pin of the pull type, ball-release fuze to the base of the mine container. The height at which the mine explo-des is controlled by the length of the pull wire. Although the S-mine fuze 44 (par. 37) was designed for this mine, it was dangerous that the Germans most often the with the S-mine fuze 35 (par. 25).

b. Employment. This mine is used for local security of units and antitank mine fields to hinder reconnaissance and breaching parties.

c. Functioning.

(1)

A pressure of 20 pounds on the tips of the two striker-retaining arms or a pull of 14 pounds on a trip wire attached to one of the striker-retaining arms of the S-mine fuze 44 releases the spring-loaded striker against the percussion cap, igniting the delay pellet.

(2)

After a delay of 4 1/2 seconds, the delay pellet fires the propelling charge which propels the mine out of the mine container to the full 2 1/2-foot length of the pull wire.

(3)

The pull wire pulls the release pin from the pull type, ball-release fuze, releasing the spring-loaded striker against the percussion cap and firing the mine.

d. Installing and Arming.

(1)

Lay the mine in a hole in the ground. If the ground not firm enough to keep the mine container from being driven further into the ground when the propelling charge is fired, place a board under the mine. The mine normally is buried with only the arms of the fuze showing. In winter, however, the entire top of the fuze must be above ground level.

(2)

Unscrew the detonator-well plug and insert a detonator, open end down, and repla-ce the plug.

(3)

Screw an S-mine fuze 35 or 44 into the fuze well. Attach trip wires to the arms of the S-mine fuze 44, if desired.

(4)

Arm the fuze by pulling out the safety pin.

Caution: If the S-mine fuze 44 is used, remove the safety pin with wire or rope from a distance of 50 yards.

Figure 105. S-mine 44 (bounding shrapnel mine).

e. Neutralizing.

(1)

When the mine is armed with the S-mine fuze 44, extreme care is necessary in neu-tralizing it. When the safety pin has been removed, the striker-retaining arms are holding the spring-loaded striker only by friction. Jarring or touching the striker-re-taining arms could easily cause them to fall off, releasing the striker. Carefully insert a nail or wire through the safety-pin holes before cutting any trip wires. Then cut the trip wires.

(2)

Unscrew the fuze.

(3)

Unscrew the detonator-well plug and remove the detonator.

Caution: Whem removing the detonator, do not let the  mine fall out of the mine container. Should this happen, the pull wire may actuate the mine.

f. Packing. Three mines are packed either in a watertight, metal carrying case or in a wooden crate. Fuzes and detonators are packed in containers, separate from the mines.