Original German WWII Kriegsmarine Naval Mine Arming Mechanism with Bakelite Housing - Used in Mark I Magnetic Mine - Inert

Original Item. Only One Available. This is a very rare piece of German naval history, the arming mechanism of a German Mark I Magnetic Mine ('Type GA'). It comprises a clockwork motor which, when the mine is deployed and lands on the sea bed, is activated. The mechanism is designed to only arm once the mine-laying ship has passed, and the mine is on the sea bed. Once armed, a ship passing over the mine attracts the magnets in the mechanism, causing the triggering of the mine.

The arming mechanism is marked on the side:

20Y
bho.M38390N

The ends of each metal rod is marked 524. The bho on the side is likely a three-letter maker’s code, but we could not identify this maker. There are some mold markings on the bakelite housing. There are original rubber covers on each side. 

We did not take apart the mechanism but this could easily be done with a screwdriver. An outstanding naval artifact from WWII, ready for further research and display!