Very Unique Smi-35 Have you Seen one?

[Kilroy was Here]

Here is an Smi-35 type that I have not seen before. The mine was included in a box full of German items offered to me a few weeks ago. It is totally complete with all the parts except maybe the sealing cord or rope for the top lid.

What makes this mine strange....to me at least, is that the inner sleeves, or casings are copper plated which I have not seen before. Maybe this is done to protect against corrosion??

The other odd thing is... the top lid to the mine where it would normally have one date and maker (or maker code), this particular mine is marked "twice" with "2 different dates" that are two years apart and two different makers.

There is also a set of three smaller letters..... "fwo" (not listed code) stamped on the top, and a waffenamt stamp, and also what I think are inventory numbers. My other S-mines in my collection also have these type "inventory" numbers stamped on top, so I think they are not really odd.

Across the top of the 1940 date etc, is what appears to be a large "X" scribed or scratched across it, and it does not look recently done to me.

What I maybe think, is that the mine, or just the top lid, was from old parts stock inventory from one company that did not use them all, therefore they were shipped and re-marked at another company "brh" (Schaltbau GmbH, Muenchen) and re-used??

Have any of you collectors out there ever seen one exactly like this? What is your theory on this odd S-mine?

Regards, Steve
"Dr. Ruby"

[Tmine35]

I have seen in Finland some S.Mi.35 with copper plated inner parts as well. I think yours is of very early production ( 1940 ) and modified or re-conditioned in 42. I have seen several times in other modified ordnance items original markings crossed over like this.
I can't see the fwo-stamp but depending on font type it could be original maker's logo instead of code. In items made 1940 you often see either logo or code. However code fwo is Westebbe & Weispfennig Eisen- und Stahldrahtwerke, Unna i/Westfalen.

Blasing cap tubes and locking ring for ejecting charge are unusual design.

[Kilroy was Here]

I have seen in Finland some S.Mi.35 with copper plated inner parts as well. I think yours is of very early production ( 1940 ) and modified or re-conditioned in 42. I have seen several times in other modified ordnance items original markings crossed over like this.
I can't see the fwo-stamp but depending on font type it could be original maker's logo instead of code. In items made 1940 you often see either logo or code. However code fwo is Westebbe & Weispfennig Eisen- und Stahldrahtwerke, Unna i/Westfalen.

Blasing cap tubes and locking ring for ejecting charge are unusual design.

Hi Tmine, thanks, I could not find the maker "fwo". If you look at the second picture, upper right corner area, you will see the "fwo" marking....

I also noticed the tubes and locking ring design. I guess there are many different types depending on manufacturer.

I thought the Smi-35 was designed and first made around 1935, hence the name Smi-35?? So would this still be an early one?

Regards, Steve

[Tmine35]

Now I saw FWO ( my screen is too small ). Written in capital letters it's no code but maker's logo which suits this early date.

I'm not sure when S.Mi.35 was adopted but in German weaponry the number does not always mean year of adoption / start of production - sometimes it does though.

I don't think I ever have seen an earlier date than yours.

[sudelmuk]

interesting haul you've made there, Steve!
I think Reino has given the most reasonable explanation for the really unusual combination of markings on the top-plate.
do you know anything about the origin of this particular piece?
it is always a problem to judge a mine without any background, as it might be oddly assorted by someone with separate parts simply to get a 'complete' one!?

slightly under pressure today, will come up with some more about early/late versions soon.

[BMG50]

The copper plating is also found on later mines. Other S-mines i have and others i have examined have parts that are of a deep black oxide gloss finish. I recently examine a mint 1940 dated S-mine and most of the parts inside the mine were of this same finish. Would love to see the manufacturing specification document from field reports (if any) to see the change dates and recommendations for copper plating S-mine parts etc.

[Kilroy was Here]

Now I saw FWO ( my screen is too small ). Written in capital letters it's no code but maker's logo which suits this early date.

I'm not sure when S.Mi.35 was adopted but in German weaponry the number does not always mean year of adoption / start of production - sometimes it does though.

I don't think I ever have seen an earlier date than yours.

Hi Reino, OK, thanks, I was not sure about the fwo marking. I could find no reference to Westebbe & Weispfennig Eisen- und Stahldrahtwerke, Unna i/Westfalen.

I think I have seen a picture of a S-mine dated 38 before? maybe here on BOCN?? I did not think 1940 was an "Early date" for one of these S-mines.

Regards, Steve

[Kilroy was Here]

interesting haul you've made there, Steve!
I think Reino has given the most reasonable explanation for the really unusual combination of markings on the top-plate.
do you know anything about the origin of this particular piece?
it is always a problem to judge a mine without any background, as it might be oddly assorted by someone with separate parts simply to get a 'complete' one!?

slightly under pressure today, will come up with some more about early/late versions soon.

Hi Peter, yes, agreed also on Reino's explanation, This is kind of what I thought from before I even made the post, but I wanted to be be sure on the theory I had come up with for the odd markings.

As far as this S-mine being cobbled together from different pieces of mines by a "collector" or "someone".....I do not think so in slightest, judging from who, and where the mine came from. I feel quite confident it is an original mine and all the parts have been together since it was originally made. Everything fits together perfect and smoothly also.

Thanks Peter, your expertise, and more info will be nice.

Regards, Steve

[BMG50]

Hi Reino, OK, thanks, I was not sure about the fwo marking. I could find no reference to Westebbe & Weispfennig Eisen- und Stahldrahtwerke, Unna i/Westfalen.

I think I have seen a picture of a S-mine dated 38 before? maybe here on BOCN?? I did not think 1940 was an "Early date" for one of these S-mines.

Regards, Steve

See next post cocked up with a posting

[BMG50]

Looking closely at the second picture of the top plate its looks as if its stamped brb or brh/ 42. as for early dated S-mines, i myself have see mint 1936-39 dated S-mines that came from Russia found in a bunker. These were for sale (about 100) 15 years ago all in a green finish. Their stampings had an unusual square stamping with letters or numbers inside the square, i think its was a makers stamp. I know i bought one, i wish i bought more. Unfortunately i don't have it now.
I believe there was a lot of mix and matching due to factory problems caused by the war later on, ie bombing of factories and shortages of materials. Not sure if some mines were refurbished or upgraded bearing in mind the propellant and the mines short delay fuzes were black powder based, which can deteriorate in cold damp conditions etc. S-mines didn't last that long in unfavourable conditions which affected their performance even less than 3 months in harsher conditions.