Description
The MZ mine is a cylindrical sheet-steel container, 5 inches in diameter and 10 inches high. It weighs 22 pounds, including 4 pounds of explosive. The mine is similar to the British No. 5 antipersonnel mine, Mark I. The centrally located pressure fuze is welded to the top of the container. This fuze has a shear pin holding back a spring-loaded striker. If the mine is to be actuated by pull, a trip wire can be attached to the eye in one end of the shear pin. The lid has a slot in one side for insertion of the trip wire. A spring type safety clip fits around the plunger of the fuze and prevents the plunger from depressing until the clip is removed.
The MZ mine is normally laid in clusters of two or three mines, each mine placed in the ground with only the lid above ground. This mine is primarily used against personnel but is also effective against vehicles.
Functioning
Set for pressure - Pressure on the lid shears the shear pin and releases the spring-loaded striker against the percussion cap which fires the mine. The container is shattered into many small fragments.
Set for pull - A trip wire is attached to the eye at one end of the shear pin and runs out through the hole in the lid to an anchor. A pull on the wire pulls out the shear pin, releasing the spring-loaded striker.
Set for antiremoval - A chain with a snap hook may be attached to the lid and the eye in the shear pin. When the lid is raised, the chain pulls the shear pin out of the fuze.
Hazardous Components
Main charge - 4 lbs. (1.82 kg)
Physical Data
Diameter - 9 in. (229 mm)
Height - 10 in. (254 mm)
See Also
Source(s)
TM 5-280, Foreign Mine Warfare Equipment (1963)
TM 5-223A, Soviet Mine Warfare Equipment (1951)
