Description
This wooden box mine is 9 1/2 inches long, 8 1/4 inches wide, and 4 7/8 inches high. It consists of a box-shaped charge container and a lid which fits down over the charge container. The mine weighs 9.25 pounds, including 4.4 pounds of explosive. Four wooden shear pegs hold the lid to the charge container and are kept from being lost by a cord tied to each peg and to a nail in the lid.
A wooden pressure block nailed to the under side of the lid is positioned over a metal actuating rod which projects through one side of the container. The outer end of the rod is fashioned into an eye or loop. The inner end engages in the loop of the striker-retaining pin of the MUV pull fuze. A block of wood in the bottom of the charge container is recessed to hold the fuze.
This mine may be employed either as an antitank or as an antipersonnel mine. For antitank use, the charge container is fitted with explosive blocks. For antipersonnel use, only one or two blocks of explosive are used, and the remaining space is filled with nails or shrapnel.
Functioning
Pressure on the lid shears the wooden pegs and depresses the lid. The pressure required to shear the pegs and actuate the fuze depends on the type of wood and the diameter of the shear pegs. The pressure block forces down on the metal actuating rod which pulls the pin out of the MUV pull fuze, releasing the spring-loaded striker.
A modification of this mine has a wooden or metal pressure bolt attached to the center of the lid, directly over a pivoted lever which is engaged in the loop of the striker-retaining pin of the fuze.
Hazardous Components
Main charge - 4.4 lbs (2 kg)
Physical Data
Length - 9.5 in. (241 mm)
Height - 4.88 in. (124 mm)
Width - 8.25 in. (210 mm)
See Also
Source(s)
