DESCRIPTION. The mine consists of a glass "dish" which is covered by a thin glass shear plate. The explosive charge is a standard sprengkörper 28 German demolition block. Either the Buck chemical igniter or the "Schuko" igniter may be employed as shown in the accompanying drawing. A metal safety fork fits into grooves in the pressure plate, pro-viding a bridge to the outer edges of the mine, and supports the safety fork until such time as the mine is laid. (See fig. 239.)

A grooved shoulder on the inside of the case, about 2 inches from the bottom, supports the igniter plate. When the Schuko igniter is used the igniter plate consists of a thin sheet metal plate which has a central hole for the igniter. When the Buck chemical igni-ter is used, however, an igniter plate having the same diameter and igniter hole but of stronger design is employed. Four circulat corrugations on the plate not only serve to strengthin it, but also to raise the igniter holy by 3/8 inch.

The mine is stated to be proof against sea, air and sea water, and with each mine is supplied sufficient cement putty to ensure this. The putty is used around the circumfe-rence of the igniter plate and around the edge of the glass shear plate.

OPERATION. When sufficient pressure is applied to the glass pressure plate, the shear plate is broken and crushes the top of the Buck igniter or trips the actuating lever of the Schuko igniter, depending on which igniter is used.

Figure 239 – Glassmine 43 (f) – Antipersonnel