Description
The TM-41 antitank mine is a round, steel-shelled mine, 10 1/2 inches wide and about 5 3/4 inches high. It weighs about 12 pounds, including 8.8 pounds of Amatol or about 9 pounds of flaked TNT explosive. It has a cylindrical 75-gram picric acid booster charge. The mine has a centrally located fuze well with a pressure cap in the lid, closing the fuze well. To add rigidity, the lid has ridges which radicate from the pressure cap. The lid also has a fluted circumference which permits it to collapse more easily under load. A wire carrying handle is located on the side of the mine. A circular plug in the bottom can be removed for filling the charge cavity. The fuze used with this mine is the MV-5 pressure fuze. This mine was designed to replace the PMZ-40, which was considered too dangerous to handle. The manufacturer’s symbols and dates are stenciled in black on the lid. The inscription TM-41, the abbreviation for the type of explosive used in the mine, and other manufacturer’s symbols are stenciled on the side of the mine.
This mine is employed as an antitank or anti transport mine in mine fields and road blocks.
Functioning
Pressure of at least 350 pounds on the lid crushes the fluted circumference of the lid. The crushed lid depresses the pressure cap of the fuze, actuating the fuze and exploding the mine.
Hazardous Components
Filler - Amatol, 8.8 lbs (4 kg) or flaked TNT, 9 lbs (4.1 kg)
Booster - Picric acid, 75g
Physical Data
Diameter - 10.5 in. (267 mm)
Height - 5.75 in. (146 mm)
See Also
Landmine, Multipurpose, PMZ-40
Source(s)
Afghanistan Ordnance ID Guide, Volume 1 (2004)
TM 5-280, Foreign Mine Warfare Equipment (chg 1, 1971)
TM 5-223A, Soviet Mine Warfare Equipment (1951)
