Shell verses Spherical Case

[jack1492]

I see that Army of Tennessee batteries hauled around and used exclusively - shot, shell, Spherical case and canister. Both shell and spherical case were used often with about the same usage. Can someone tell me when a battery would decide to use shell verses Spherical case?

 

[redbob]

Spherical case would be more effective against troop concentrations because the burst would release both fragments and balls against massed troops. Shells would often break into much fewer pieces and not be as effective against troops but would be more effective against objects such as structures or fortifications. Solid shot was effective against fixed targets such as artillery and canister would be effective against troops within the 500 yard range.

 

[jack1492]

Yes, that helps. I had forgotten that shell bursts sending fragments of the hollow shell itself and case bursts sending fragments of the shell itself, the iron balls and whatever other metal bits they threw in there.
I think I'll ask a battery horse question next. Ha!!

 

[UCVRelics]

The solid shot was used against enemy gun batteries as they could aim low and skip it into the guns. As @redbob stated the canister was very effective against oncoming troops, its the predecessor of the flechette artillery round that is in current use.

 

[alan polk]

Spherical case was basically long range canister.

 

[UCVRelics]

Spherical case was basically long range canister.

Yes it was but that depended on how many seconds the fuse was. To short of target it was useless as when the case exploded it diminished the frags as it slowed down the fragments considerable. To long it was past the target.

 

[redbob]

As a field expedient to replace canister, spherical case was sometimes fired as a "rotten shot" which was leaving the fuse out and firing the round. The idea was the flame would ignite the powder when the gun was fired and the round would explode shortly after it left the tube. This was extremely dangerous and only used as a last resort.

 

[alan polk]

As a field expedient to replace canister, spherical case was sometimes fired as a "rotten shot" which was leaving the fuse out and firing the round. The idea was the flame would ignite the powder when the gun was fired and the round would explode shortly after it left the tube. This was extremely dangerous and only used as a last resort.

It is debated as to whether the Bormann fuse was inserted in the field or whether it was installed at the arsenal by the manufacturer. I've come to think it was likely installed at the arsenal before shipment to troops in the field.

If this is so, removal of the fuse at anytime, especially under combat conditions, was dangerous in itself.

There was an easier, much more efficient way to create the "rotten shot" as described above. This was done by puncturing the fuse in its center (likely into and through the "pipe hump" in and near the wrench slot). This acted as the "zero" mark and would explode upon the cannon being fired.