I got it from my girlfriend now wife as a Valentine's Day gift 3 years ago.
I knew then, that this women was a keeper.
She bought it at a antique store here in Nothern Illinois.

Here's a little history about the Mark 6 mine.
Spherical antenna type using a K-type pistol, 34 inches (87 cm) in diameter.
This mine was designed specifically for the North Sea Mine Barrage of World War I.
It was still being used operationally as late as 1978.
On 17 October 1917, the Secretary of the Navy authorized the construction of 100,000 mines
of this type at a cost of $40,000,000 (40 million dollars).
By the early summer, these were being produced at a rate of 1,000 a day with a peak of 1,500
being produced in one 24 hour period.
In order to support this rate of manufacture, the Navy built its own TNT factory at St. Julien's Creek,
Virginia, capable of producing 300,000 lbs. (136,000 kg) of TNT per day.
The Mark 6 was very successful and remained in US inventories until about 1985, making it the USA's longest-lived mine.
1,400 lbs. (635 kg) total, charge of 300 lbs. (136 kg) TNT.
Could be moored in waters up to 3,000 feet (914 m) deep.
Three safety devices were employed, one a time delay, one a hydrostatic which held a switch open until the mine had sunk
several feet underwater and the third to keep the explosive steps open until the mine had reached a considerable depth.
Mod 2 was a rising type, Mod 3 had a Mark 9 case with a 100 foot (30 m) lower antenna.
Mod 4 had a Mark 6 case with a 50 foot (15 m) lower antenna.
All of these had a few Hertz (acid) horns as a backup firing mechanism.
Early units used in the North Sea Barrage had reliability problems, with 4 to 8 percent firing shortly after being planted.
Mark 6 mine
Shown being launched from USS Ute ATF-76 in Philippine waters in 1978

Edited by grenadebaron, 21 February 2009 - 12:55 PM.