17. MINE, ANTIPERSONNEL, M2 AND MODIFICATIONS

a. MINE, antipersonnel, M2 (figs. 11, 12 and 12.1), is similar to a small mortar. It projects a shell about 6 feet in the air, where it explodes. Designed for use against per-sonnel, it has an effective radius of about 30 feet. The shell weights approximately 3 pounds, of which 12 percent is high explosive. The shell fuze, which is ignited by the propelling charge, contains a delay element that delays detonation of the shell until it has attained an effective height. This mine is fired by the action of a pull wire or a pres-sure device. The standard and alternate standard models of the M2 antipersonnel mine are MINE, antipersonnel, M2A3, and MINE, antipersonnel, M2A3B1, and MINE antiperson-nel M2A3B2.

b. Description.

(1) The mine (figs. 11, 12, and 12.1) consits of a base plate, a length of thin-walled steel tubing riveted (M2) or soldered (M2A1) or coined (M2A3) to the base plate and serving to contain and project the loaded and fuzed shell. and A ¼-inch pipe nipple, threaded to the base plate and serving as a connection for the firing mechanism. The M2A3B1 mine is a modification in which tube, base, and nipple are cast in one piece. The M2A3B2 mine is a combination of the M2A3 and M2A3B1. It has a cast base with the tube and mine coined. The cavity in the base plate contains the propelling charge, which consists of 20 grains of black powder assembled in a small bag. The tube, containing the fuzed shell, is sealed with a metal cap. Attached to the pipe nipple is a coupling into which is fitted the primer and igniter assembly. The primer is protected during handling and shipment by a hexagonal cap. FUZE, mine, anti-personnel, M2, is shipped separately in a tube, in the same box with the mine.

Figure 11 - MINE, Antipersonnel, M2

Figure 12 - MINE, Antipersonnel, M2A1

Figure 12.1 - MINE, antipersonnel, M2A3.

(2) The fuze issued with the M2 and M2A1 antipersonnel mines this mine consists of the Combination Firing Device M1 (par. 24) with an igniter cap attached. The base and igniter are assembled to the mine and the firing pin assembly is supplied, disassembled, in the same carton. It is a simple type firing mechanism containing a spring-loaded firing pin. It may be fired by means of a trip wire connected to the release pin ring or by pres-sure applied to the pressure cap (fig. 11). A pressure of 20 to 40 pounds on the pressure cap or tension of 3 to 6 pounds on the release pin will cause release of the firing pin and detonation of the mine. Lengths of wire packed with the mines are for connecting to the release pin ring and making tripping devices. The wire supplied with some mines is olive-drab; that supplied with others is sand colored.

(3) The fuze issued with the M2A3 and M2A3B1 antipersonnel mines is the FUZE, mine, combination, M2 or FUZE, mine, combination, M6 (fig. 19.1). The M6 fuze consists of a firing mechanism with a three-pronged head (par. 24.1) and an igniter. As issued, the igniter is assembled to the mine and the firing mechanism is packed separately in the same container. A pull of 6 to 10 pounds on the pull ring or a load of 10 to 20 pounds on all three prongs or 10 to 30 pounds on one prong will operate this fuze.

c. Operation. To assemble the mine, remove the hexagonal cap from the primer and, after making sure that all safety devices in place, screw the firing mechanism onto the primer.

(1) TO PLANT OR PREPARE FOR ACTION WITH THE M2 FUZE (par. 24 c).

(a) Be sure the locking screw and safety pin are in place.

(b) Place the mine on a firm foundation.

(c) Remove the hexagonal cap from the primer and screw on the firing pin assembly.

(d) Attach trip wire or install the pressure trip on the pressure cap.

(e) Check to see that the trip wire is not too tight or that there is not too much weight on the pressure cap.

(f) Remove the locking screw.

(g) Remove the safety pin. If the safety pin tends to bind, the device is unsafe and should not be used.

(h) Special Safety Precaution. This device may fire if the release pin is rotated after the locking screw is loosened or removed and the safety pin is removed. Do not adjust the position of the release pin unless the safety pin and locking screw are securely in place.

(2) TO PLANT OR PREPARE FOR ACTION WITH THE M6 FUZE (par. 24.1)

(a) Be sure both safety pins are in place.

(b) Place the mine on a firm foundation.

(c) Remove the hexagonal cap from the primer and screw on the firing pin assembly.

(d) Attach trip wire. If desired, install the pressure trip on the three-pronged top.

(e) Check to see that the trip wire is not too tight, or that there is not too much weight on the three-pronged top.

(f) Remove the lower safety pin which is through the release pin.

(g) Remove the top safety pin (between the three prongs) which is through the firing pin. If the safety pin binds or is tight against the top of the fuze, the device is unsafe and will not be used.

(h) SPECIAL SAFETY PRECAUTION: Do not remove either safety pin until all trip wires are connected and checked to make certain they are not too tight.

(3) TO PICK UP OR RECOVER.

(a) Replace all safety devices.

(b) Cut the trip wire or remove the pressure tripping device from the pressure cap or three-ponged top.

d. Precautions.

(1) Not attempt will be made to disassemble the mine (except to remove the firing pin assembly when the mine is picked up). Mines with loose caps or primers will not be used until inspection by ordnance personnel shows that the igniter and propelling charge have not been damaged by moisture, and the mine cap and primer assembly have been resea-led.

(2) When mines are being planted, place the hexagonal cap from the primer and the locking screw and safety cotter pin near the body of the mine, in a position where they may be readily found if it is necessary to pick up or recover the mines.

(3) While this mine is water resistant, it should not be expected to function after pro-longed submergence in water.

e. Marking and Packing.

(1) The mine and the fuze are painted lusterless olive-drab, except for the flange of the mine base, wich is painted yellow. Stenciled on the flange is the type and model of the mine, the lot number, manufacturer's symbol, and date of loading.

(2) The mine is packed one per corrugated paper carton. The carton also contains the firing pin assembly and 1 spool of four 26-foot lengths of wire. Ten such containers are packed in a wooden box. The boxes are marked "OLIVE DRAB" or "SAND COLOR" to indi-cate the color of the wire packed therein (par. 8).