DESCRIPTION. The S-Mine resembles a tin can in size and shape and was originally re-ferred to as the "Fruit Tin" mine by the British. It consists of an outer steel case and an inner canister which contains approximately 350 steel balls. A central steel tube running axially through the mine receives the igniter at its upper end and acts as a flash channel. A 4 1/2-second delay fitting is threaded into the bottom of this tube. A gun powder ejection charge is located beneath the inner canister. Three detonator tubes are spaced radially around the inner canis-ter, 120° apart. A short delay element is fitted into the bottom of each, of these detonator tubes. The space between the detonator tubes is filled with explosive, either TNT or amatol. (See fig. 246.)

There were various modifications in the early production models of the S-mine, including detonator tubes made of compressed paper, minor technical differences, and use of irre-gular pieces of metal for shrapnel instead of steel balls.

OPERATION. The mine may be operated by pressure or pull. If it is to be operated by pressure, a standard pressure igniter, type S.Mi.Z. 35 is screwed into the top of the tube. If the mines are to be operated by pull, a Y-connection is screwed into the top of tube and two standard igniters of the Type Z.Z. 35 or Z.u. Z.Z. 35 are screwed into the branches of the Y. Z.Z. 42 and electrical igniter E.S.Mi.Z. 40 also can be used. In either case, when an igniter is fired, the flame produced ignites the 4 1/2 second delay powder of the tube which in turn ignites the powder charge. The powder charge then explodes forcing the mine proper out of the canister and into the air. At the same time the explo-sion of the powder charge ignites the delay powder tubes. The delay in these tubes is long enough to permit the mine to rise 3 to 5 feet into the air before the detonator in the tubes are ignited. The detonators then explode the charge and the steel balls are disper-sed in all directions. The effective range of these balls is between 150 and 200 yrads.

EMPLOYMENT. When used as a pull-operated mine, it is laid in a cylindrical hole and held in place by four stakes. Trip wires are attached to the igniters and stretched out in op-posite directions. The wires are run 4 inches above the ground and pass through eye screws fixed to the top of wooden stakes. The recommended length for the trip wires is 21 yards with the supporting stakes at 7 yards intervals.

Figure 246 – S-Mine 35 – Antipersonnel