Kiwi Medals

This lever type fuse was used almost exclusively on the Glasmine 43.

Hebelzunder (Lever Igniter), also called Schuko Igniter consisted of an inverted L-shaped tube, the vertical arm of which was screwed into a mine. The horizontal arm contained the percussion cap, striker, striker spring, and striker retaining pin. On top of the arm was attached a lug, an actuating lever (consisting of a hollow metal tripping piece pivoted on a rivet), and a safety pin. After removing the pin, the downward pressure (as little as 40 lb) on the actuating lever forced out the striker retaining pin, thus releasing the striker to fire the percussion cap. The igniter was used in Glasmine 43 (as an alternative to the Buck Igniter) and in some booby traps.

When the S-Mine 35 or 44 is set up the engineer has a choice of fuse configurations to use, depending on terrain and intended wiring. This includes single, double, and triple head layouts. Commonly the center fusing used was the S.Mi.Z-35, a pronged igniter intended to catch on clothing or boots.

The safety bolt is withdrawn by removing its retaining nut and pulling the bolt out of the plunger against the resistance of the spring-loaded ball.

When pressure is applied to the prongs the plunger is forced down into the body against the resistance of the supporting spring. When the two steel balls in the plunger have moved down sufficiently to lose the support of the low-diameter portion of the body, there are ejected by the inclined surface in the striker groove, under the pressure of the striker spring, which drives the striker to the cap assembly. The weight required to operate the fuze is approximately 7 lb.

Here are a variety of Z.Z35’s configured as they were commonly used.

The brass igniter, fitted with a detonator of the No. 8 type, is used with a pull wire in the side and base of the Tellermine and in conjunction with trip wires to function the S-mine. Booby traps operated by pull wires may also be fitted with this igniter. The mechanism consists of a striker, with a spring under initial compression, held off an igniferous detonator by supporting pins which are held in position by a guide until the pull is applied. The body of the igniter is a cylindrical casing fitted with a projecting sleeve at the outer end and screw-threaded internally at the inner end for the insertion of the guide. The sleeve is perforated to receive the safety pin which passes through a hole in the release cylinder. The outer end of the retaining spring bears against a flange on the inner end of the sleeve.

These ones are often unmarked only three of my five are marked, one GRO 41 (Georg Beissbarth Metallwarenfabrik from Nurnberg), one CXL 41 (Rachmann Metallwerk Inh. in Halda in the Sudetenland), and one RR 985 40 (Josef Mellert, Fabrik Für Feinmechanik in Bretten).

You can also see the double and triple fitting for the S-mine.

This is an impact fuse and detonator for use with the glass Flascheneismine 42. This device was intended for placement in frozen waterways in a pattern that would allow the river or lake surface to be disrupted in the event of an attack. These mines were also used as anti-personnel mines by the Germans by being encased in cement. In this case an S.Mi.Z. 35 pronged igniter would be used.

In order to fit either the concrete Stockmine 43 or Glasmine 43 for action, the bakelite adapter here had to be screwed into the explosive charge. In the case of the Stockmine the charge was a Bohrpatrone 28, a replica of which is shown here. With a Glasmine 43 you would use the most common charge block, the Sprengkörper 28.

This igniter is used in the wooden box mine and also in the Stockmine, Schützenmine 42, and wooden box mine U.B.1. The igniter consists of a bakelite tube about 2.5 inches long, 0.5 inches in diameter carrying a spring-loaded striker. The tension of the spring retains a cross-shaped pin in a hole in the striker rod, firmly against the top of the bakelite case. The percussion cap is carried in a tube screwed into the base of the igniter. The tube is closed by a screwed cap. No safety device is fitted. The screwed cap is removed and a detonator is inserted when required for use.

Pressure on the arms of the pin, or tension applied to the loop of the pin will cause it to withdraw. The force required is reported to be between 6 and 10 lb. weight. The striker is then impelled forward onto the percussion cap by the action of the spring.

These are coded btb for J.Duderstadt Metallwarenfabrik in Esslingen.