10 CAP BLASTING CAP MACHINE
Detonation of electrical blasting caps required the use of an exploder.
The exploder supplied an electrical current through a length of wire to
the cap. The smaller exploder pictured here is the 10 cap model and it was favoured by the paratroopers over the 30 cap model because of its small size and light weight. The exploder was simply a small hand powered generator which produced current when the charging handle was rotated. After completing his explosives preparation the paratrooper connected the ends of the firing wire to the ends of the insulated wire protruding from the electrical cap. The final task just prior to detonation was to connect the other end of the firing wire to the screw top posts of the exploder. A few sharp twists on the wooden handle sent the charge through the line setting off the electrical blasting cap and the explosive.
The exploder supplied an electrical current through a length of wire to
the cap. The smaller exploder pictured here is the 10 cap model and it was favoured by the paratroopers over the 30 cap model because of its small size and light weight. The exploder was simply a small hand powered generator which produced current when the charging handle was rotated. After completing his explosives preparation the paratrooper connected the ends of the firing wire to the ends of the insulated wire protruding from the electrical cap. The final task just prior to detonation was to connect the other end of the firing wire to the screw top posts of the exploder. A few sharp twists on the wooden handle sent the charge through the line setting off the electrical blasting cap and the explosive.
CAP CRIMPERS M2
M2 multi-purpose pliers and crimper
one handle ends as a screwdriver blade
The other is a spike for boring a small hole
in the TNT block and inserting a fuze.
The crimping claws are for attaching a blasting
cap or a length of detonating cord to the fuze.
one handle ends as a screwdriver blade
The other is a spike for boring a small hole
in the TNT block and inserting a fuze.
The crimping claws are for attaching a blasting
cap or a length of detonating cord to the fuze.
TOOL EQUIPMENT TE-33
A tool pouch designed and issued by the signal corps,
and used by engineers for splicing electrical wire.
The leather CS-34 belt case holds a pair of TL-13 pliers
and a TL-29 electrician's pocket knife.
and used by engineers for splicing electrical wire.
The leather CS-34 belt case holds a pair of TL-13 pliers
and a TL-29 electrician's pocket knife.
BLASTING GALVANOMETER
Special tool used to test the electrical
circuit linking electrical blasting caps.
circuit linking electrical blasting caps.
ELECTRIC BLASTING CAP WIRE
Electric blasting cap 12-ft of wire
FUZE LIGHTER M1
Pull type fuze lighters in their
red cardboard tube.
red cardboard tube.
PRIMING ADAPTORS M1A3
These clips were used to link several
lengths of Primacord prior to setting
off the detonating chain.
lengths of Primacord prior to setting
off the detonating chain.
ADHESIVE PASTE M1
Special paste to stick up to 15 TNT blocks
on any surface in any position
on any surface in any position
DELAY TYPE FIRING DEVICES M1
Chemically activated firing devices.
A printed table gives precise indications
on how to set the delay according to the
ambient temperature and the colour
of the safety pin.
A printed table gives precise indications
on how to set the delay according to the
ambient temperature and the colour
of the safety pin.
JOINTING SLEEVES
To connect the firing wire to the insulated wires of an
electrical blasting cap. sleeves, jointing, self soldering
no 3. The device consisted of two copper tubes connected
in the middle with solder. The copper tubes were fluted
at the ends to allow wire to be easily inserted into them.
the solder was covered with a flammable wax covered
material. On the centre outside of the wax coating is a
purple coloured incendiary striker. The sides of the box contained striking paper when incendiary material was struck against the side it would ignite
heat up the solder and when cooled it fuzed all copper and wires inside.
electrical blasting cap. sleeves, jointing, self soldering
no 3. The device consisted of two copper tubes connected
in the middle with solder. The copper tubes were fluted
at the ends to allow wire to be easily inserted into them.
the solder was covered with a flammable wax covered
material. On the centre outside of the wax coating is a
purple coloured incendiary striker. The sides of the box contained striking paper when incendiary material was struck against the side it would ignite
heat up the solder and when cooled it fuzed all copper and wires inside.
TNT
1 Pound block of TNT high explosive
Standard half pound block of TNT
explosive used in most engineer
demolition charges.
Standard half pound block of TNT
explosive used in most engineer
demolition charges.
EXPOSIVES
Composition C high explosive
CAP SEALING COMPOUND
TRIP WIRE
Spool of light and dark coloured trip wire for booby traps.
Trip wire was is essentially a thin metal wire
that was used to prepare a booby trap. The wire was routed from a fixed object
such as a tree or stake to an instantaneous or delay fuse connected to a grenade
or explosive device. When the wire was “tripped”, it pulled out the safety pin
from the fuse and caused the charge to detonate. The wire is very thin, .022” as
measured with engineer’s callipers and is painted a flat yellow or olive drab.
The paint comes off fairly easily when the wire is bent or scratched. The two
colours were to camouflage the wire against a variety of backgrounds such as
dirt, dry grass or green vegetation. The colour and the thin profile make it very
difficult to see unless you are specifically looking for it. The wire was placed
on a small wooden spool and came in either an individual roll or a “four-pack”
The four-pack had two spools of olive drab and two spools of yellow. This spool
is made of wood, turned on a lathe with a 3/8” diameter hole drilled through its length.
this was presumably for placement on a pencil, screwdriver or the end of the crimping pl
pliers to facilitate quick unravelling.
Trip wire was is essentially a thin metal wire
that was used to prepare a booby trap. The wire was routed from a fixed object
such as a tree or stake to an instantaneous or delay fuse connected to a grenade
or explosive device. When the wire was “tripped”, it pulled out the safety pin
from the fuse and caused the charge to detonate. The wire is very thin, .022” as
measured with engineer’s callipers and is painted a flat yellow or olive drab.
The paint comes off fairly easily when the wire is bent or scratched. The two
colours were to camouflage the wire against a variety of backgrounds such as
dirt, dry grass or green vegetation. The colour and the thin profile make it very
difficult to see unless you are specifically looking for it. The wire was placed
on a small wooden spool and came in either an individual roll or a “four-pack”
The four-pack had two spools of olive drab and two spools of yellow. This spool
is made of wood, turned on a lathe with a 3/8” diameter hole drilled through its length.
this was presumably for placement on a pencil, screwdriver or the end of the crimping pl
pliers to facilitate quick unravelling.
DEMO REEL
DEMOLITION BAG
Later pattern demolition bag for parachutists in olive drab
waterproof material. a movable snap hook on the strap
was attached to a chest buckle on the parachute harness.
tie down straps sewn at the base of the bag helped secure
the load to the body. The bag could be used for blocks of C-2
explosives or to carry equipment.
waterproof material. a movable snap hook on the strap
was attached to a chest buckle on the parachute harness.
tie down straps sewn at the base of the bag helped secure
the load to the body. The bag could be used for blocks of C-2
explosives or to carry equipment.
DEMOLITION SATCHEL BAG
Canvas bag for eight M3 blocks of C-2 explosive.
Two of these pre-packed charges were stored in a
special wooden crate.
Two of these pre-packed charges were stored in a
special wooden crate.
MATCHES
Waterproof matches
M2 LIGHTER FUZE WEATHERPROOF
Carton of five waterproofed fuze lighters
To be used for front line demolitions
or under adverse weather conditions.
To be used for front line demolitions
or under adverse weather conditions.
FRICTION TAPE
Tape used to make up explosive charges
attaching and waterproofing fuzes.
attaching and waterproofing fuzes.
TL-192 RUBBER SPLICING
Rubber splicing tape had a more specific use. Its primary
function was to seal the splices between firing wire and
the wires of electrical blasting caps. Its thick rubbery quality ensured that no moisture would penetrate the splice and cause a faulty
connection.
function was to seal the splices between firing wire and
the wires of electrical blasting caps. Its thick rubbery quality ensured that no moisture would penetrate the splice and cause a faulty
connection.