Description
The horseshoe mine consists of a metallic horseshoe-shaped case containing about 2 pounds of explosive. It is 4 inches high, 4 inches wide and 4 inches long. Two MV 5 pressure fuzes with MD-2 detonator assemblies are inserted into wells in the top of the mine and these are covered with a pressure box and a pressure plate. An iron bolt holds the pressure box more firmly to the mine. The bolt is not screwed in but merely projected into a cavity in the mine. This allows the box to move downward under pressure. To prevent the pressure box from being depressed and actuating the fuzes prematurely, an elaborate safety assembly is provided. A release lever which is welded to a release rod is hinged to a U-shaped pivot bracket which is welded to the top of the mine. The release lever is depressed until its tip rests under the edge of the pressure box. The lower end of the release rod is hook-shaped. The release lever is prevented from pivoting by a U-shaped retaining wire in the hooked end of the release rod. The ends of the retaining wire are hinged under the top of the mine. A spring-actuated bolt, held in place by a safety pin, is clamped to the lower end of the release rod and holds the retaining wire in place.
The horseshoe mine is employed as an antipersonnel mine when used alone and as an anti transport mine when used with a supplementary charge. This mine is usually buried in the ground on a board or plank with an additional charge. The open end of the horseshoe-shaped mine faces the charge. A hole is provided in the plank to fit the hooked end of the release rod and to allow it to move outward when pressure is applied to the mine. A pressure board is normally laid over the pressure plate with one end on the supplementary charge.
Functioning
This mine will not function under pressure until the safety pin has been removed from the release rod and safety bolt. Pressure on the pressure box rotates the freed lever-and-rod assembly and moves its lower end outward. This allows further pressure to depress the pressure box, eventually actuating the fuzes.
Hazardous Components
Main charge - 2 lbs. (0.9 kg)
Physical Data
Length - 4 in. (102 mm)
Height - 4 in. (102 mm)
Width - 4 in. (102 mm)
See Also
Source(s)
