Firing Device

A firing device is designed to initiate a train of fire or detonation in demolition charges, boobytraps, or mines, principally by action on 

Following are examples of firing devices 1) Delay Type Firing Device Ml (Demolition) (Fig 22) consists of a two-part cylindrical case, joined near the center-by a coupling. The half of the case which contains firing mechanism is brass, while the other half contg glass am- 

5) Pull-Friction Type Firing Device M2 (Demolition) (Fig 26) is designed for actuation by a pull wire and intended for use in setting 

In the pull operation, a direct pull of 6 to 10 pounds on the trip wire causes the release pin and firing pin to be pulled outward until the jaw end of the firing pin passes beyond the constricted opening of the body. In this position, the jaws spread, thereby releasing the firing pin which, driven by its spring, fires the primer 

7) Pressure-Release Type Firing Device M3 (Demolition) (Fig 28) has been used to activate antitank mines equipped with supplemen- 

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Explosives may be detonated electrically or nonelectrically. A nonelectric firing system will consist of a blasting cap, a length of time (safety) fuse or a firing device attached to the cap, and a means of activating the system match, fuse lighter, delay mechanism, or trip wire. The electric system requires an electric cap which has two wires attached, perhaps additional wire, and a battery or batteries to provide the current which activates the cap. 

This is a booby trap firing device which may be concealed in a cigar box, book, package or under any object heavy enough to hold the arm of the mousetrap in a cocked position. 

This device employs a modified mechanical fuse lighter to construct a booby trap or a firing device which can be controlled by the operator. 

To use this device, the blasting cap may be inserted directly into the explosive or it may be connected to the explosive with primacord. In either case the firing device should be securely attached to a solid object. Run the trip wire from a fixed location to the cotter pin, leaving some slack in the line. A pull on the trip wire will remove the cotter pin, initiating the charge. 

The firing device used should be placed at least 5 feet ahead of the charges in the direction from which the train is expected, since the charges should detonate just ahead of the locomotive, not under it. If the direction of the train s approach is unknown, a firing device should be placed at each end of the string of charges. 

MATERIALS Cord, string or rags, tape, prima-cord, plastic explosive, blasting caps, firing device. 

MATERIALS Tin can or bottle, sand, stones, strong cord, TNT or plastic explosive, nonelectric blasting cap, delay firing device (time pencil or time fuse). 

Spread the points of the cotter pin safety to prevent accidental dislodging and then unscrew the fuse assembly of the frag grenade with pliers. The fuse may be saved for use as an improvised firing device or the blasting cap may be removed for other uses (see section on improvised detonators). ... 

Do not touch any part of a boobytrap without first examining il thoroughly. Locate all firing devices and their triggering mechanisms. 

Trace taut wires and disarm alt connected firing devices by replacing safeties. Taut wires should be cut only after eliminating the danger at both ends. 

Without disturbing the main charge, cut the detonating cord or other leads between the disarmed firing device and the main charge. 

Igniters, which include devices called squibs, lighters and firing devices, etc are used for initiating expl or pyrotechnic compns whose nature is such that it is desirable to use flame or flash for their initiation and not a shock as produced by primers or detonators. 

Activator (of a Land Mine). It was defined in Vol 1, p A101-L of Encycl (Ref 42) as a fuze, but actually it is a detonator-booster, which acts in conjunction with a firing device, as a secondary fuze which provides some A/T mines with antilifting or boobytrapping capabilities. In TM 9-1940(1956),... 

Activator, Antitank Mine. It is defined in MIL-STD-444 (Ref 40a, p 2) as a nonmetal-lic item designed to adapt a firing device to an antitank mine. It may be empty, inert filled or explosive filled... 

It should be noted that electric firing devices for initiating propelling chges were used in "seacoast" and "railway" artillery before and during WWI (Ref 6, pp 227 314), but it does not seem that seacoast and railway artillery are used now by the US Armed Forces. The latest description of a seacoast primer was given in 1946 in the book by Ohart (Ref 17, p 53). The primer is M30... 

Electric firing devices have been used extensively in AA (antiaircraft) artillery since WWI, and even before... 

Section 3, Part C Military Igniters, Lighters and Firing Devices... 

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