DIAMETER

HEIGHT

TOTAL WEIGHT

EXPLOSIVE WEIGHT

EXPLOSIVE

MATERIAL

COLOR

MARKINGS

FUZE

PRESSURE REQUIRED

USE:

This mine is a bounding anti-personnel mine. The effective lethal range is estimated at 30 yards radius.

COMPONENTS:

This mine has four principal components: the loaded mine body, the pressure plate, the special percussion fuze, and the base propellant charge. The pressure plate is a steel disc 4 inches in diameter threaded to the top of the fuze mechanism.

(a) Mine Body: The mine body consists of a cylindrical corrugated steel outer casing containing the explosive main charge, and a central tube, threaded into the base of the mine body, for the insertion of the fuze mechanism and the propellant charge. A long tubular recess is provided in one side of the center tube for the insertion of the instant-aneous fuze and detonator.

(b) Fuze Mechanism: The fuze mechanism consists of a striker holder sleeve, one end is crimped over to retain the operating sleeve. Threaded to the inside of the  striker holder sleeve is the tubular striker holder. The striker rides in this holder, and the striker spring buts against the lower edge of the holder. In the upper part of the striker holder are three retaining balls wich engage in a groove in the striker and retain it in the cocked position. The balls are kept from moving outward by the ball retaining sleeve. Two annular grooves are cut on the inside of the ball retaining sleeve; the upper one is deep, the lower one shallow. In the cocked position, the retaining balls ride in the lower groove, which is shallow enough to force the balls into the striker groove, but suffi-ciently deep to prevent the ball retaining sleeve from moving freely inside the striker holder sleeve. Immediately above and resting on the retaining sleeve is the operating sleeve. This sleeve is held upwards by the top spring, but is prevented from being for-ced out of the fuze by the turned edges of the striker holder sleeve. The top of the operating sleeve is threaded to receive the pressure plate. A safety spider with four prongs slips over the threaded part of the operating sleeve, and the prongs pass through four holes in the pressure plate and bear against the top of the striker holder sleeve. A wing nut holds the safety spider securely in position. When the safety spider is in position, the operating sleeve is prevented from moving, thus making the mine safe. The safety spider and wing nut are removed when the mine is armed. The fuze functions when sufficient pressure is placed on the pressure plate to tilt or force down-ward the operating sleeve. This, in turn, forces the ball retaining sleeve down until the  retaining balls can move into the upper deeper groove. The striker is the released.

(c) Base Propellant Charge: The base assembly consists of a threaded collar into which is fitted the propellant charge container. This container holds a charge of about 100 grains of G. 20 Gunpowder, and is closed at the bottom by a cup which is crimped into a groove on the outside of the container. Two holes are drilled in the top of the container and lead directly to the gunpowder charge. The first hole contains a short length of safety fuse which leads to the percussion cap and priming composition. The second hole contains one end of the length of instantaneous fuse to which the detona-tor is crimped. Between the detonator and the  instantaneous fuse are about 2½ grains of sulphurless meal powder, which provides a slight delay.

ASSEMBLY & ARMING:

Place the mine in the ground on a drilled block of wood, to provide support. Pack earth around the mine, then remove the ring nut and safety spider, being careful not to exert any pressure on the pressure plate.

NEUTRALIZATION:

Reverse the process outlined for arming the mine.

REMARKS:

1. This mine was developed and produced by the Royal Engineers in India.