40 LB CRATERING CHARGE

[Blackops]

[TheGrayGhost]

Very nice! Don't see these too often. Nice to see one that isn't over painted as well. I ended up having to make my own reproduction because I couldn't find an original.

[BC312]

Nice hard to find piece of kit.

[Blackops]

Thanks just waiting for the summer to display at the shows...still look for some priming adapter M1A1 can any one help...

[Dirt Detective]

Very cool...I know nothing about these...any info of this item? Size? Year made? ect..

 

Thanks, Mike

[Blackops]

Hi Mike.

 

The height is 430mm x 210mm give or take a mill you can find more information in Ammunition General I hope this helps

 

Thanks Phil

[Dirt Detective]

Hi Mike.

 

you can find more information in Ammunition General I hope this helps

 

Thanks Phil

 

Will put that book on my xmas wish list..

[Blackops]

Hi Mike

 

It is in the old version June 1956 TM 9-1900

 

Phil

[TheGrayGhost]

From May 1945 FM 5-25 Explosives and Demolitions:

[TheGrayGhost]

[Dirt Detective]

Thanks Grayghost, great info, that's the stuff I was looking for.... 40lbs...wow.

[EODsmity]

Do you have a 40lbs shape charge to accompany it? The 40lbs shape charge uses a glass cone, which is cool!!!

 

Also, there are 3 generations of the 40lbs cratering charge. Here are the differences:

 

The 40-pound cratering demolition charges are watertight cylindrical metal containers with approximate 39 pounds of H-6 explosive. A semicircular angle is located on the top of the container for handling the charge or lowering it into a hole.

The first generation charge has a booster charge of 0.43 pounds of composition A-5 posi- tioned at the top of the main charge to facilitate priming from the top, Two priming tunnels are therefore located on the top surface of the charge along with a steel lifting handle and a blasting cap wire-securing post.

The second generation charge is an interim design that may or may not have a booster and priming tunnels similar to the first generation charge. Due to a technical irregular- ity in production, it must be treated as if it has no internal booster and must be primed with external booster charges.

The third generation charge is designed to be easily initiated with detonating cord. Dual detonating cord tunnels are on the top surface above a special (internal) booster. (Final con- figuration not available at this time).

 

There was also a 43lbs cratering charge.

 

[Blackops]

Hi I would like a 40lb shaped charge in my collection..if I can find one

[TheGrayGhost]

Ditto. The closest I have come is the crate.

[Blackops]

Even harder to find in the UK ..maybe one day

[Antoon]

Does someone know what the two cylindrical items in front of the cratering charge are?

 

[robinb]

The 40 pound shaped charge does exist. An old ebay purchase for me. The seller called it a 

'Smudge pot". 

[rtd_sf_eng]

I've set off the 40 lb SC during cross training.  Here are some pictures of cross training while I was in 7th in 1968.  We could take pictures at that time.  The pictures show the SC and then one before setting it off and one after with the size of the hole in the steel plate.  I got a 'charge' out of the training.

 

Larry

[robinb]

That's impressive. 

[TheGrayGhost]

Very cool, thanks for sharing!

 

Is the large hole in the plate from the same charge being detonated but without the stand?

[rtd_sf_eng]

Yes, The bigger hole was made first followed by the SC using the stand.