Another reason why training mines were made instead of using captured stock was that from about 1943 onwards the Germans started fitting the 35 (S), 42 and 43 with the T.mi43 igniters along side the standard T.mi42 igniters. These T.mi43s were of booby trap design, once the top cap was screwed in place it couldn't be removed, so you couldn't just unscrew the cap as you could if the mine was fitted with a standard T.mi42 igniter simply by unscrewing and removing. When a mine was found, the engineer could not tell what was fitted , only those who laid them for future recovery which the Germans did as well as the allies as we used each other mines especially in North Africa. From then on to be on the safe side all Teller mines were checked for other devises and removed or blown in situ. Hence dummy mines were made because there was not enough because of the above, plus man power to remove them and remove the contents which was a dangerous process, especially if the explosive inside became unstable due to sitting in the elements. It was easy for a manufacture to make and copy the design. I am surprised that the 35 (S) was not made as part of the set.
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Well , thank you gents for your input on my question. it was a real question. thank you (to both of you) for taking the time to give me an answer. jeffComment
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Up by request..........RonRComment
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The prices on these have changed a bit over the years, but I have to laugh every time I see one being sold as an original German Teller Mine.
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