DESCRIPTION. The device consits of four main parts: The upper casing, the base plate, the clockwork and striker mechanism, and the explosive filling. It is of sheet steel ap-proximately 1 mm thick. (See fig. 283.)

Upper Casing. The upper casing of sheet steel metal is of one piece and has strenghthe-ning corrugations on its upper surface. Situated centrally is an opening 1 inch in diame-ter, through which protrudes the release button keyed to a metal release fork. In the upturned lip of the opening is a small slot 3/8 inch long to allow passage of the arming bar. This latter is a thin steel bar having a ring at its outer end. The clockwork mecha-nism winding post protrudes through the upper casing and the hole is made waterproof.

Base Plate. Ths base plate is of sheet steel and has a circumferential lap joint to secure the upper casing. This base plate is not secured to the internal parts.

Explosive Filling. The explosive filling consists of two cirular segments of cast TNT enclo-sed in waxed paper. The lower portion has a housing for the cap and standard detonator assembly.

Striker Mechanism. The internal metal structure consists primarily of a semi-circular metal plate to which all the parts are clamped. On the underside of the plate is fixed the striker assembly, consisting of a spring-loaded metal striker. The metal sear is pivoted and is held down at its inner end by means of the small spring fitted to the release bottom fork. The sear holds back the striker at the beveled stop so long as pressure is applied to the release button. The striker is further secured before arming by the safety pin which is of thin steel wire 2 inches long and passes through a small slot in the base plate and termi-nates in a small ring.

Clockwork Mechanism. The clockwork mechanism consists of a strong main spring which drives the govering spinner by a set of gear wheels enclosed in metal casing. The me-chansim is wound at the post by means of a key. (No specimen of this latter has yet been recovered.) In the safe position the clockwork is jammed by the arming bar which also holds down the release fork and button.

No exact figure can be given for necessary pressure to hold down the release button, but this is probably between 4 to 6 pounds. The device will function when the button is allowed to rise about 1/2 inch.

OPERATION. To arm, the clockwork meachanism is wound and the device placed under any object, for instance a mine. The arming bar is the pulled out by means of a cord or wire attached to the ring.

When released, the clockwork runs for about 35 to 40 seconds and the expanding main-spring gradually forces the safety pin ring outwards, thus with-drawing the safety pin. This latter operation taking an average of 10 to 15 seconds. The striker is now only re-tarded by means of the sear, which in turn, is held in place by the compressed spring of the release button. Removal of the weight from the release button allows the striker spring to force up the sear by means of the beveled stop. The striker thus moves for-ward to fire the cap and so detonates the TNT. Such detonation, if under an antitank mine, would thereby also detonate the mine.

EMPLOYMENT. This mechanism is used beneath land mines as an antilifting and antire-moval device.

Figure 283 – E.Z. 44 Antilifting Device