WW2 Chemical Mine

[Gspragge]

Found at a recent military show. The top is seized presently. Not mine (apologies for that) and may be available to interested parties if they wish to face the onerous postage etc. If so contact me for contact information. At any rate I'm posting it with the manual as I rather thought it a unique kind of thing. It was originally off white for training as I suspect any surviving examples.Original colour on the bottom. It is empty.

 

[sudelmuk]

there is a German counterpart, the "Sprh-Bchse 37".



this one was sold on egun some times ago (where the pics are from) and unfortunately missing the upper cap with its fuse thread.
the can itself is highly rare, the 5 minutes clockwork-fuse fairly common.
no manual available, I remember a volume of 10 litres 'nasty stuff' (mustard-gas?)

 

[waffenamt]

So that is what that fuze is for!!

I have one in the collection,but didnt know the application.Thank you gents for posting pics of the mine.
cheers

waff

 

[wilson]

White Training Version

 

[US-Subs]

There were two versions of the German one, a 5 liter and a 10 liter. The 10 liter was more common. These "mines" were actually designed as contamination devices. Contaminating an area with mustard, a persistent chemical agent, would force enemy troops to either bypass the area or to use protective gear and decontaminate on the other side. This sort of "contamination" mine was also developed in the US, Poland, The Netherlands, Russia and Hungary. Most were much simpler, more like the UK version which was the largest. Depending on weather, the contamination could remain effective for a week or more easily.

The German versions were unusual in that they bounded, and detonated several meters up in the air. This was more effective, but as usual, more complicated. The UK also had a small device, the 6lb ground bomb, but this was too small for practical use and was only intended for training.

 

[Gspragge]

Chemical Mine Manual

I have this as a PDF file and can send to anyone interested via email.

 

[Grenademan2005]

Peter, the ZeitZunder was intended only for the chemical mine?

 

[sudelmuk]

yes, Miguel, definitely. :tinysmile_shy_t:

http://wehrmachts.kisten.free.fr/Zt_z37_2.htm

 

[Grenademan2005]

Any info if it was used for other mines or charges? The last pic of all those cans ready for destruction... what ammount of euros....

 

[sudelmuk]

no, never heard or seen something about that.
of course the clockwork is fitting with all M10x1-threads, but to use it on other charges would have made little sense, I think.

 

[Grenademan2005]

Ok, I ask it because the ZeitZunder is easy to find, but never seen one pot for sell.