Ammo Solid shot or shell

In Napoleonic times, "case shot" was similar to canister; some sources characterize it as an alternative term for canister. Either way it was like a large shotgun load, firing a blast of balls directly from the mouth of a cannon, effective at close range.

Shells of course were hollow iron spheres filled with gunpowder, fused to explode at a set time/distance.

As @Rhea Cole mentioned, Henry Shrapnel's innovation was to include small balls inside a shell which would explode over or among enemy troops, giving an effect similar to case shot, hence his term "spherical case".
 

Learn About Us
About CivilWarTalk
Contact the Webmaster
Meet the Staff
Link to CivilWarTalk
Join Our Community
Register
Browse Forums
View Today's Discussions
Search the Forum
Get Help
FAQ
Student Guide
Forum Rules & Etiquette
Copyright / DMCA

     Contact Us CivilwarTalk on Facebook CivilWarTalk on YouTube CivilWarTalk on Twitter RSS Feed

Bringing the American Civil War and More to Life.
© 1999 - , CIVILWARTALK, LLC - Site Version 10.0

SlaveryTalk.com - SecessionTalk.com - CivilWarTalk.com - ReconstructionTalk.com
Back
Top