Description
The TM-35 antitank mine is one of the earliest Soviet metallic land mines. It consists of a sheet metal case 9 inches long, 8 5/8 inches wide, and 3 3/8 inches high, with a hinged, sheet-metal lid, and a pressure lid on top of the hinged lid. It contains six 400 gram blocks and two 200 gram blocks of Trotyl explosive (TNT) for a total of 6.2 pounds. Total weight of the mine is about 11.4 pounds. A flat, metal shield plate is attached to the top of the pressure lid by the pressure bolt which projects through the lid. The lower end of the lid is positioned just above the lever which actuates the MUV pull fuze. A wire handle is located at the hinge end of the mine. Access to the fuze is also provided for at this end by a hole closed with a pivoted fuze-well cover. Projecting upward from each side (except the hinge side) of the mine body is a pair of metal locking lugs. When the lid is closed, the lugs project through holes in the lid and are bent over to keep the lid closed.
The mine is most frequently either laid on the ground and then camouflaged or laid in the ground with just a metal shield plate above ground level.
As these mines are easily booby-trapped, it is recommended that they be destroyed in place by counter charging them on the top close to the fuze.
Functioning
Pressure of about 500 pounds on the metal shield plate crushes the pressure lid, forcing the pressure bold down on the fuze-actuating lever which has been kept stationary by a safety-pin type spring. The depressed fuze-actuating lever pulls the striker-retaining pin out of the MUV pull fuze and fires the mine.
Hazardous Components
Filler - TNT, 6.2 lb (2.82 kg)
Physical Data
Length - 9 in. (229 mm)
Width - 8.58 in. (218 mm)
Height - 3.38 in. (86 mm)
See Also
Source(s)
TM 5-280, Foreign Mine Warfare Equipment (1963)
TM 5-223A, Soviet Mine Warfare Equipment (1951)
