Description
This wooden box mine is about 5 inches square and 3 inches high. It is partitioned inside into two compartments. One compartment contains a 400-gram block of TNT and an MD 2 detonator assembly which projects through the partition into the charge. The other compartment contains a built-in detonating mechanism. It consists of a mousetrap type striker held open in a vertical position by a cup on the lower end of a pressure plunger, the top of which projects through the lid, and a restraining wire looped around a lead strip fixed to the partition. A striker needle is fixed to the U-shaped arm of the striker and so positioned that, when the striker is released, the needle strikes the percussion cap of the MD 2 detonator assembly. The end of the mine by the striker mechanism is removable and held in place by two clamps.
This mine is always laid on an additional explosive charge of at least 10 pounds. It is placed in railroad beds with the plunger just under a rail or tie.
Functioning
Passage of the first train depresses the plunger releasing the spring-loaded striker from the striker-retaining cup so that the striker is restrained only by the wire. Pressure of the striker spring causes the wire to slowly cut through the lead strip. From 3 to 5 minutes are required to cut through the strip. If the train passes before the wire has cut through the strip, lack of pressure allows the plunger and striker-retaining cup to rise under action of the plunger spring and thus prevent the striker from further movement. Passage of a second train again starts the process. This is repeated until the wire cuts completely through the lead strip. The striker is thus released against the percussion cap, exploding the mine.
Hazardous Components
Main charge - TNT, 14.3 oz. (400 grams)
Physical Data
Length - 5 in. (127 mm)
Width - 5 in. (127 mm)
Height - 3 in. (76 mm)
See Also
Nothing else to see.
Source(s)
