Description
The metallic Anti-Tank Mine M4 is identical to the M1A1 type except for the booster, the fuze, and the activator wells. The Ml has one activator well on the bottom and one on the side. Since the booster, .after loading, becomes an integral pail of the mine, and since the M1A1 and M4 boosters and fuzes are not interchangeable, it is especially important that the Mines M1A1 and M4 and their respective fuzes be kept separate. However, the two mines are assembled, armed, and employed in the same manner. The advantage of the Mine M l is that the internal construction of the M4 fuze makes it safe to re-use, because it is not made more sensitive by repeated light blows.
The fuze for the Mine M4 functions on the “cricket” or “oilcan” principle. This means that the firing pin spring is a convex metal diaphragm which snaps down under pressure to detonate the fuze. The fuze for the Mine M1A1 uses a cocked firing pin spring and shear pins. In appearance, the only difference is that the primer and the detonator of the M1 fuze are contained within the fuze body instead of protruding from the bottom as in the M1A1, and the bottom edge is sharp rather than beveled.
The M4 booster is identical with M1A1 booster, except that it has a flat top with a crossed scar to insure rupture of the booster shell by the detonator, while the M1A1 booster has a cavity in the top to receive the protruding printer and detonator of the M1A1 fuze.
The safety fork is removed from the fuze by pressure of the thumbs on the prongs.
The bottom and inch on the side are painted yellow; the rest of the mine is painted olive drab.
Functioning
No information about functioning.
See Also
Source(s)
OP 1664, Volume 2 - US Explosive Ordnance (1947)
TM 9-1904, Ammunition Inspection Guide (1944)
