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UK L5A1 Firing Device Demolition Combination

spotter

UBIQUE
Staff member
Premium Member
The UK L5A1 Firing Device Demolition Combination according to the tech info i have on it was developed as a multi purpose device for the initiation of boobytraps.This device provides a simple means of mechanical initiation by pull ,pressure, release or tension release.
The device comes with all necessary fixing accessories together with an instruction sheet which illustrates the device ,accessories and methods of fixing
From what ive found it is also known in the USA as the M142 and in Canada as the F1A1

Please feel free to add more images and information to this post
 

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I vaguely recall that this was an Australian design. I will look it up unless someone beats me to it.
 
I vaguely recall that this was an Australian design. I will look it up unless someone beats me to it.

The WWII Australian equivalent is the Murray Switch. My main computor is being repaired at the moment so am unable to post photos and information untill I get it back.

In the meantime here is a link that gives you all of the information as well as on it's modern counterpart the F1A1 combination booby trap.

http://www.ammunitionpages.com/categories.php?cat_id=177
 
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The tripwire was green-painted copper. I think the UK also had an L5A2 version, very similar to the L5A1. About 30 years ago I and several other people were tasked with reducing thousands of the L5A1 to scrap. They were perfectly serviceable but were presumably incompatible with the UK government's stance on the moral use of munitions, in a similar way to the use of Anti-Personnel mines. If I remember correctly the tins containing the kits were packed in H83 ammo containers.
 
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Here are the data sheets mor the U.S. M142.
 

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How many counties have this design? I know the U.S., British, Australia ... any others
Joe
 
More pics of the kit ...
 

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I have some of the predecessor switches: No.4, No.5, and No.6 (Pull, Pressure, Release). I'll try to take some pix soon.
 
This Firing Device was designed and developed by the (then) Australian Army Design Establishment in Melbourne and introduced into service in 1966. It was offered up under the ABCA agreement and introduced into service in USA as the M142, UK as the L5A1 and in Canada as well.
The introduction document can be found in Downloads/General Ordnance/

Maribyrnong Explosives Factory (ME) used to make these for all ABCA countries
 
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