ww2 Magnetic Mine switch

[butterfly]

Latest addition, which arrived today...

This is, I believe, an electrical circuit switch for the German Magnetic mine as used in the type LM A and LM B mines. These were airdropped parachute mines used for anti-shipping and later were also dropped on land causing devastation. This 'switch' was located to the rear end of the mine.

I don't know very much about it, apart from that the rectangular box (in the middle) contains a bar magnet, when a ship passes over the mine (or close by) the magnet dips and in doing so completes the electrical circuit, which in turn explodes the mine. The whole unit is set in gimbles keeping the bar magnet in the correct plane no matter which way up the mine ends up on the sea-bed.

I have found dates on componants dating from 3-41 to 5-42 (so a later example I think)


I would love to know more about this item, should anyone have any line drawings or descriptions etc. and indeed if anyone can confirm the types of mine this was used on that would also be great.

Also, does anyone know if the magnetic unit was still installed in the mines that were dropped on land??




I hope you find it as interesting as I do

kindest regards
thanks for looking
Kev

HPIM6263.jpgHPIM6256.jpgHPIM6255.jpgHPIM6254.jpgHPIM6257.jpgHPIM6258.jpg

[waffenamt]

Nice Kev!

Are there any waffenamt stamps?

cheers

waff

[butterfly]

Nice Kev!

Are there any waffenamt stamps?

cheers

waff

Nothing obvious yet, though haven't had chance to study it closely - its quite a large object, so will let you know if I do!!
Maker marked on case....... brd

regards Kev

[EOD]

This is a "M1 BIK" for ground mines.

Waffenamt stamps will be hardly found since this one was in air force layed mine. On the more sophisticated and secret items very seldom acceptance stamps or designations are found.

Check US OP 1673A, page 119.

[butterfly]

This is a "M1 BIK" for ground mines.

Waffenamt stamps will be hardly found since this one was in air force layed mine. On the more sophisticated and secret items very seldom acceptance stamps or designations are found.

Check US OP 1673A, page 119.

Many thanks EOD

Unfortunately I don't have access to that publication, but thankyou for the reference and ID - much appreciated.

regards Kev

[waffenamt]

Fair comment EOD. I have however seen waffenamt stamps in other german mine clocks/switches.

best

W

[John D. Bartleson Jr.]

Your firing device is a Dip-Needle Magnetic firing system used in aircraft laid magmetic ground mines. The magnetic versions of the GC and GD (LMA and LMB) mines used this unit. They were classed as red or blue field units and were adopted by the U.s. The G series could be dropped on land at a target of opportunity or normally at sea. They were parachute retarded and used the 34 A or B bom fuze which would detonate the mine if it did not land in water.
With regard to the Waff mark, were not the ELAZ fuzes dropped by the air force??
Cheers,
John

[EOD]

Fair comment EOD. I have however seen waffenamt stamps in other german mine clocks/switches.

best

W

You certainly have seen Luftwaffe acceptance marks. I doubt they were Waffenamt.

[butterfly]

Your firing device is a Dip-Needle Magnetic firing system used in aircraft laid magmetic ground mines. The magnetic versions of the GC and GD (LMA and LMB) mines used this unit. They were classed as red or blue field units and were adopted by the U.s. The G series could be dropped on land at a target of opportunity or normally at sea. They were parachute retarded and used the 34 A or B bom fuze which would detonate the mine if it did not land in water.
With regard to the Waff mark, were not the ELAZ fuzes dropped by the air force??
Cheers,
John

Thankyou John for confirmation that this was used in the LM A and LM B mines (british known as type C and type D)
kind regards
Kev

[Madbomber31]

Nice find Kev well done