Tag: tellermine

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German

T. Mi. Pilz 43: Tellermine—Type 4 (Mushroom Head)

T. Mi. Pilz 43: Tellermine Type 4 (Mushroom Head)

This type of mine is composed of fewer parts, is simpler in construction, and more easily assembled than types 1, 2, and 3. It also appears to be less susceptible to sympathetic detonation than the three other types.

It has the usual Tellermine contour, but no cover is provided, necessitating a rubber seal and a pressure spring. The top of the mine is covered by a “mushroom” head pressure plate which screws into the fuze cavity. This head is made of two thin pieces of pressed steel formed into a hollow shell about 7.5 inches in diameter and about 1 inch thick.

The mine has an aperture in its base and one in its sidewall in which either a pull or tension igniter can be used.

The fuze for the mine is very simple in operation, and consists of a shear pin and a spring-loaded firing-pin. When sufficient pressure is exerted on the mushroom head, the shear pin is broken off and the spring-loaded firing-pin plunges into the fuze primer, setting off the detonator. The detonator ignites the penthrite booster which, in turn, sets off the main charge of amatol.

This fuze, which is also used in types 2 and 3 German Tellermine, is dropped into the fuze cavity rather than screwed in as in the case of the type 1 Tellermine.

SPECIFICATIONS

Diameter         11.29 ins.
Weight         18 lb., 1.5 oz.
Bursting charge         Amatol
Bursting charge weight         10 lb., 6.94 oz.

German: p. 304

Categories
German

T. Mi. 35 (Stahl): Tellermine—Type 3 (Steel)

T. Mi. 35 (Stahl): Tellermine—Type 3 (Steel) WW2

The design of the third type of Tellermine does not differ greatly from that of the other two models. It is distinguished by the radial flutings on the upper face (a), which extend to the edge of the surface. On the underside of this pressure plate (a) is a flat strengthening ring (b), spot-welded to the plate.

The ring (c) is secured to the body of the mine (d) by a number of punches. This ring retains the pressure plate in position against the spring (b). The rubber seal (i) between the body of the mine and the pressure plate protects the operating mechanism against moisture and dust.

The mine body and the base (f) are similar in construction to the type 1 T. Mi. 35, type 1 having an adapter to take an additional side igniter, which is located diametrically opposite the handle, and type 3 having an adapter for the base igniter. In the case of type 3, the igniter is screwed down until it rests on the rim of the socket (h), and the screw plug (g) is then not required.

The design for the mine appears to be a compromise between the Tellermine No. 1 and the Tellermine No. 2. In the former the whole of the mine cover forms the pressure plate and the mine is known to be subject to blast effects. The smaller area of the pressure plate in Tellermine No. 2 reduced the susceptibility of the mine to blast but at the same time reduced the available area for operating the mine.

SPECIFICATIONS

Diameter         12.75 ins.
Height 3.21 ins.
Weight 21.50 lb.
Bursting charge 66-34 Amatol
       weight 13.9 lb.
Booster pellets 3 PETN

German: p. 303

Categories
German

T. Mi. 42: Tellermine—Type 2

T. Mi. 42: Tellermine—Type 2 (WW2 Teller Mine Antitank Mine)

The type 2 Tellermine consists of a flat, circular steel bottom, a steel body having a cylindrical sidewall, and a slightly dome-shaped top with a centrally located well approximately 6.9 inches in diameter. A fluted pressure top is fitted into the well. The silhouette of this mine differs from those of types 1 and 3 principally in that the central pressure top with the fuze well cover extends above the surface of the rest of the body. The mine also contains two other detonator wells, one in the side of the body and one in the bottom.

The igniter body is cylindrical in form and is approximately 1.5 inches long and .81 inch in diameter. The firing-pin head extends above the surface of the body, is hemispherical in shape, and is supported by a heavy shear pin which rests on the upper surface of the body. The lower end has a threaded extension over which a thin metal cap containing a paper disk is screwed. This cap is used as a protection for the primer and, with the paper disk removed, as a means for holding the detonator against the igniter prior to assembly in the mine.

A bursting charge of 10.75 pounds of cast TNT is used. Three PETN booster pellets are imbedded in the bursting charge, one around each detonating well.

SPECIFICATIONS

Diameter        12.7 ins.
Height 4.00 ins.
Weight 18.36 lb.
Bursting charge Cast TNT or 50/50 Amatol
Bursting charge weight 10.75 lb.
Booster pellets 3 PETN

German: p. 302

Categories
German

T. Mi. 35: Tellermine—Types 1a & 1b

T. Mi. 35: Tellermine Types 1a & 1b

There are two models of the type 1 Teller Land Mine. Both types, which are painted olive drab, consist of a flat, circular bottom plate, a steel dome-shaped body which contains the bursting charge, an aluminum retaining ring into which a rubber sealing ring is assembled, and a cast aluminum top, also slightly dome-shaped. A formed iron wire handle is attached to the side wall by welded steel straps.

The bursting charge is initiated by action of the pressure igniter which is screwed into the well cup in the top of the mine. This igniter is cylindrical in form, 2.3 inches long, and 1.625 inches in diameter. A heavy compression spring, located inside the well, is held in position by a forward lip on the underside of the top of the mine. Two other well cups, one through the sidewall and one through the bottom plate, are provided for use when auxiliary pull-type igniters are assembled. On the body cover, concentric with a brass setting screw, are stamped two arrows, one pointing to the “Scharf” (armed) marking, and the other to the “Sicher” (safe) marking. A red spot .1 inch in diameter on the head of the setting screw is used to aline the setting mechanism with the index marks.

The only difference between type 1a and type 1b is in the loading of the bursting charge. Type 1a contains a 10.55 pound charge of pressed TNT; type 1b contains an 11.41 pound charge of cast TNT and three large PETN booster pellets imbedded in the bursting charge. Each pellet has a cavity into which a detonator well is assembled.

SPECIFICATIONS

            Type 1a           Type 1b
Diameter 12.75 ins. 12.75 ins.
Height 3.50 ins. 3.25 ins.
Weight 19.25 lb. 21.20 lb.
Bursting charge Pressed TNT Cast TNT
Bursting charge weight 10.55 lb. 11.41 lb.
Booster pellets 3 PETN

German: p. 301