M18 CLAYMORE MINE, WIRE, SWITCH AND CARRY BAG

M18 CLAYMORE MINE, WIRE, SWITCH AND CARRY BAG

Rarely seen genuine American M18 Claymore antipersonnel weapon. This example, recovered in Vietnam, measures approx. 9 x 5 x 2 in. The front of the plastic case bears the instruction: "FRONT TOWARD ENEMY". The reverse bears ink imprint, indicating date of manufacture as October 1968. When opened, the mine is seen to be clearly inert, with the explosive removed but the matrix bearing the deadly bead shot remains in place. Also included is a spool of wire and connector which would attach to the mine, the hand-held M57 Firing Device, and a two-compartment carrying bag. The components show the effects of having been exposed to high humidity, still good to very good condition. The M18 Claymore was command-detonated and directional, meaning it was fired by remote-control or tripwire, shooting a pattern of metal balls into the kill zone much like a shotgun. Its range was about 100 meters within a 60-degree arc in front of the device, and it was used primarily in ambushes and as an anti-infiltration device against enemy infantry.