Armor Punching bolts

[major bill]

The use of ironclads showed a need for ordnance projectiles that could defeat the armor plating. Several types of ordnance was developed to do just that. There is some question about how effective this ordnance was.

One can compare the performance Federal Navy 80-pounder chilled-nose Hotchkiss armor-punching bolt with the Confederate "Hopson" punch projectile.

The Confederacy also developed some wrought iron flat headed rounds which did not perform as well as expected. Perhaps one of the best was the 8-inch English Armstrong "Blind" shell. The Federals tried the "Stafford" projectile but many consider the Federal chilled 8-inch Parrott shot the best of the War.

The sad truth is that Civil War armor-punching projectiles did not do a good job of punching. Truly effective armor penetrating rounds did not become available until after the Civil War.

 

[AndyHall]

@rebelatsea will have something to contribute here.

 

[rebelatsea]

The use of ironclads showed a need for ordnance projectiles that could defeat the armor plating. Several types of ordnance was developed to do just that. There is some question about how effective this ordnance was.

One can compare the performance Federal Navy 80-pounder chilled-nose Hotchkiss armor-punching bolt with the Confederate "Hopson" punch projectile.

The Confederacy also developed some wrought iron flat headed rounds which did not perform as well as expected. Perhaps one of the best was the 8-inch English Armstrong "Blind" shell. The Federals tried the "Stafford" projectile but many consider the Federal chilled 8-inch Parrott shot the best of the War.

The sad truth is that Civil War armor-punching projectiles did not do a good job of punching. Truly effective armor penetrating rounds did not become available until after the Civil War.

Armour punching, and armour penetration are two different things. "punching" shot was intended to destroy protection by sheer impact rather than go through. "Penetrating" rounds were intended to do just that and go though protection. the resulting hole was not the object but having the projectile rocheting around inside was. Large calibre smoothbores, and rifles firing flat head shot were employed by both sides with varying and sometimes conflicting results. John M Brooke developed steel point shot for his 7" MLR, and Virginia equipped with them after Hampton Roads. They were never used, at least by Virginia, so we don't know whether they would have been effective or not. The concensus seems to be that they would have penetrated Monitors turret armour.
However steel technology was in it's infancy to this level, and the South's ironworks had more important things to. concentrate on.

In Europe, the game was penetration, with the aim of eventually creating a projectile that would go through the protection and explode. An AP shell in modern terms. That object was not really achieved consistently until the advent of Palliser, Krupp and Le Cruesot shells at virtually the same time.

 

[rebelatsea]

@rebelatsea will have something to contribute here.

Thanks Andy, I'm sure others will take a shot at it too!

 

[USS ALASKA]

Armour punching, and armour penetration are two different things. "punching" shot was intended to destroy protection by sheer impact rather than go through. "Penetrating" rounds were intended to do just that and go though protection. the resulting hole was not the object but having the projectile rocheting around inside was.

So the potential modern day equivalent would be APFSDS for penetrating and HESH for punching perhaps?

Thanks,
USS ALASKA

 

[JOHN42768]

Thanks for clarification

 

[UCVRelics]

The shell design was only one of 3 problems in the development of any piercing or punch round. The first is the amount of EFC (Effect Force Charge) to fire with enough force to do the job. The second is the gun has to be able to handle the EFC. You can put a round ball thru a armor plate if you have enough EFC.

So the potential modern day equivalent would be APFSDS for penetrating and HESH for punching perhaps?

From my M1 Abrams days the 120mm sabot round would go all the way thru a Russian made Irag T-70 turret with such velocity it would suck the seat covers off the TC seat and out the hole. The HESH created a major amount of spalling inside the turret with bits of metal flying around inside. As with either round I wouldn't want to be on the other end

 

[rebelatsea]

Apologies ,I forgot Gruson chilled shot (and armour).