DIAMETER

HEIGHT

TOTAL WEIGHT

EXPLOSIVE WEIGHT

EXPLOSIVE

MATERIAL

COLOR

FUZE

PRESSURE REQUIRED

USE:

This mine is a bounding anti-personnel mine designed to cause casualtities up to 30 yards.

COMPONENTS:

The mine consists of the following component parts: the outer mine canister, the inner case, the detonator pistol mechanism, and the cartridge pistol mechanism.

(a) Outer Mine Canister: The canister is nothing more than a container for the inner case and acts as a small mortar to propel the inner case into the air. The inner case rests on a shoulder in the bottom of the outer canister, and below this shoulder in the canister is a small recess acting as an expansion chamber for the propellant gases. A long recess is located on the outside of the canister into which the lever of the detona-tor pistol slides.

(b) Inner Case: The inner case is a cylindrical container for the explosive charge. Two holes are located in the top of the inner case, one passing completely through the case for the insertion of the cartridge pistol, the other leading into the explosive charge for the insertion of the detonator pistol mechanism. During normal shipment and storage the inner case is held in the outer canister by two screws passing through the bottom of the canister into the case. These screws must be removed from the mine before it is laid.

(c) Detonator Pistol Mechanism: The detonator pistol is the actuating mechanism for the explosive charge of the mine. It consists of a cylindrical body containing a spring-loaded striker retained by a small fork attached to the end of a long recess in the outer canister into which it fits. When the lever is released, the striker is forced by its spring into a detonator inserted in a well beneath the pistol.

(d) Cartridge Pistol Mechanism: The cartridge pistol is the activating mechanism for the mine. It consists of a cylindrical body housing a spring-loaded striker. This striker is retained by a fork-shaped trip plate which fits under a shoulder on the top of the striker and above the top of the fuze body. A slot for attaching trip wire is provided in the trip plate. A safety pin passes through the top of the striker and also through a groove cut in the trip plate, proventing the trip plate from being withdrawn.

ASSEMBLY & ARMING:

First make certain that the two transit screws holding the inner case in the outer canister are removed. Unscrew the cartridge pistol with the spanner provided. See that cartridge recess is clear and insert ballistite cartridge provided. Replace the cartridge pistol and screw tight, making certain that safety pin is secure. Remove the detonator pistole, making certain that the safety pin is in place. Inspect the socket to see that it is clear, and insert the detonator, small end first, so that the cap end rests on a shoul-der in the socket. Replace the detonator pistol so that its firing lever engages in recess on outer canister. Make certain safety pin is secure. Place mine in ground and attach a loose trip wire to the cartridge pistol. Remove detonator pistol safety pin, then remove cartridge pistol safety pin. If safety pin cannot be withdrawn easily, release tension and reset the trip plate.

NEUTRALIZATION:

Replace cartridge pistol safety pin, the replace detonator pistol safety pin. Cut the trip wire, the disarm the mine by reversing the procedur for arming, removing detonator and cartridge.

FUNCTIONING:

A pull of four pounds or more on the trip wire will remove the trip plate from the cartridge pistol, allowing the striker spring to force the striker into the cartridge located beneath the pistol. The explosion of the ballistite cartridge provides the propellant force whicht throws the inner case into the air. When the inner case leaves the outer canist-er, the lever arm is released, freeing the striker in the detonator pistol, which then is forced into the detonator located below the pistol. The explosion of the detonator fires the main charge of the mine.

REMARKS:

1. Mine, Shrapnel, Mk I: The Mk I mine is the earlier issue of the Shrapnel mine and differs from the Mk II only slightly, as follows:

(a) The Mk I spring lever is shorter than that provided for the Mk II mine, and the recess for it in the outer canister does not extend the full length of the mine.

(b) The Mk I mine has a leather carrying starp.

(c) The detonator of the Mk I mine has a slight delay action; that of the Mk II is in-stantaneous.

2. Before re-using a shrapnel mine, test as follows: After disarming the pistol, lift the mine and examine externally. In removing cartridge and detonator, note any tendency to stick. If either cartridge or detonator cannot be removed, discard the mine. Examine the cartridge and detonator recesses for corrosion and wetting. The detonator socket particularly should be examined for blue or green incrustation. If found, discard the mine. Test some of the removed ballistite cartridges and detonators by firing separate-ly.