Description: These device consist of thin earthenware containers of irregular sizes and shapes coated with a bitumin type of paint to give them the appearance of anthracite coal. Each container is filled with explosive and contains an igniter. The igniter is a cop-per tube with a detonator at one end and a small black powder charge at the other end placed next to the container wall.

Close examination of a single piece of explosive coal will allow identification, but it is vir-tually impossible to detect when mixed with real coal.

Operation: When exposed to fire, the heat eventually ignites the black powder which in turn sets off the detonator and main charge.

Figure 196 – Explosive Coal.