|
(PLATE 1.) There are four kinds of projectiles used in field service, viz.: the solid or round shot, the canister, the shell, and the spherical case shot.
The projectile is attached to a block of wood called a sabot. For the guns and the 12-pounder howitzer, the cartridge and the projectile are attached to the same sabot, making together a round of fixed ammunition. For 32-pounder and 24-pounder howitzers, the projectile is separate from the charge, and the cartridge is attached to a block of wood called a cartridge block.
The solid shot is spherical, and its weight in pounds is used to designate the calibre of the gun to which it belongs.
The canister consists of a tin cylinder, attached to a sabot and filled with cast-iron shot. These shot vary in diameter, and of course in weight, with the calibre and description of the piece. Canisters for guns contain 27 shots each; those for howitzers contain 48 shots each. They are packed in sawdust in four tiers: the lower tier rests on a rolled iron plate, which is placed on the sabot; and the canister is closed with a sheet-iron cover. The canister takes its designation from that of the piece for which it is prepared.
The shell is a hollow shot, with such thickness of metal as enables it to penetrate earth works, wooden buildings, etc., without breaking. For service it is charged with powder, and bursts with great force. Fire is communicated to the charge by means of a fuze, inserted in the hole through which the powder is introduced; the time of the explosion being regulated by the.preparation of the fuze. The shell is designated by the weight of the solid shot of the same diameter.
The Shrapnell, or spherical ease shot, is a hollow cast-iron shot forming a case which is filled with musket balls. Melted sulphur or resin is poured in to fill up the interstices and secure the balls in their positions. After this is solidified, a portion of the contents is bored out and the vacant cylindrical space filled with powder, the amount of the charge being only sufficient to rupture the case, which has less thickness of metal than the shell, and to disperse the contents. Fire is communicated. to the charge by the means employed for exploding the shell. The Shrapnell shot, so called from the name of its inventor, an officer of the British artillery, produces the same effect as the canister, and can be used for much greater distances. It takes its designation from that of the piece.
FUZE.
(PLATE 1.) The Bormaun fuze, so called from the name of its inventor, an officer of the Belgian artillery, is the only kind at present used in the field artillery service. This fuze is a circular metallic disc, about 1-5 inches diameter, and half an inch thick. On the exterior are several turns of a stout thread, which enables the disc to be screwed into the shell. The composition filling (mealed powder) is compressed in a circular groove near to, and concentric with, the circumference of the disc. The end of the composition communicates by a canal with a small magazine in the centre of the disc. The magazine is filled with powder, and slightly closed on the lower side so as to yield in that direction to the explosion. The composition is securely protected from moisture or accidental ignition by a covering of soft metal, on which is legibly marked the time graduations in seconds and parts of a second. Commencing at the entrance to the magazine, on the left end of the composition, the first mark, a short one, is for 3/4 of a second; the next, one dot, or the figure 1, is for 1 second; the next, a short mark, for 1 1/4 seconds; the next, a long mark, 1 1/2 seconds; the next, a short mark, 1 3/4 seconds; the next, two dots, or the figure 2, is for 2 seconds; and so on in suecession up to 51/4 seconds, which is the longest time for which these fuzes are constructed.
As the fuze exposes considerable surface to the shock of movement, it is sustained within the shell by a thick iron plate, perforated through the centre so as to permit the passage of the flame from the fuze into the interior of the shell when the magazine explodes. This plate is screwed into an orifice prepared for its reception, and closes the lower part of the fuze-hole. The metallic fuze is then screwed firmly into its place, and the projectile is ready for service.
The operation of the fuze in service is as follows: the thin covering of metal above the composition is cut at the desired point so as to lay bare the upper surface and expose it to the flame of the discharge. The combustion of the composition occupies the assigned time, and then, through the canal already mentioned, communicates fire to the magazine. The explosion drives the flame downward through the orifice in the iron plate into the interior of the projectile, where it encounters the charge of the latter.
The fuze-gouge, a small gouge with a wooden handle, is required to cut the metallic cover and expose the composition. Two fuze-gouges should be supplied to each piece.
The primer is a small tube filled with rifle powder and inserted in the vent at the moment of firing. It is ignited by the friction produced in drawing a rough wire briskly through a friction composition, consisting of 1 part of chlorate of potassa and 2 parts of sulphuret of antimony, moistened with a weak solution of gum arabic, and mixed together in a wet state. This composition is contained in a smaller tube which is inserted at right angles in the priming-tube, near the top, and soldered to it. A lanyard, with a hook attached, is used to pull out the wire.
Ammunition is issued to batteries from the arsenals, prepared for immediate use. It is packed in boxes made for the purpose: these are painted olive color on the outside, and the kind of ammunition contained in each is marked on both ends in white letters. The date and place of fabrication are marked on the inside of the cover.
When fresh ammunition is received, it should at once be gauged to the pieces, and its condition examined. It should be frequently aired, and every care taken to keep it in good order. The primers should be kept in a dry place, and exposed to the sun before being used. In rainy weather, especially when long continued, and an action may be expected, they should be dried carefully, in small separate parcels, before a fire.
NOTICE
Copy and Use Restrictions: The content, information, graphics, design, compilation, products, software, services and all other matters related to this web site ("Materials") are protected by law, including, but not limited to, U.S. Copyright law and international treaties. Except as stated herein, none of the Materials may be copied, reproduced, distributed, republished, downloaded, displayed, posted or transmitted in any form or by any means, including, but not limited to, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior written permission. The navigation, design and text used are the Intellectual Property (IP) of the website author. Copyright © 2003, 2009. All Rights Reserved.