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Shell (projectile)
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A shell, in a modern military context, is a projectile whose payload contains an explosive, incendiary, or other chemical filling. Originally it was called a bombshell, but "shell" has come to be unam
Some sectioned shells from the First World War. From left to right: 90 mm shrapnel shell, 120 mm pig iron incendiary shell, 77/14 model – 75 mm high-e
Some sectioned shells from the First World War. From left to right: 90 mm shrapnel shell, 120 mm pig iron incendiary shell, 77/14 model – 75 mm high-explosive shell, model 16–75 mm shrapnel shell.
US scientists with a full-scale cut-away model of the W48 155 millimeter nuclear artillery shell, a very small tactical nuclear weapon with an explosi
US scientists with a full-scale cut-away model of the W48 155 millimeter nuclear artillery shell, a very small tactical nuclear weapon with an explosive yield equivalent to 72 tons of TNT (0.072 kiloton). It could be fired from any standard 155 mm (6.1 inch) howitzer (e.g., the M114 or M198).
155mm M107 projectiles, with fuzes fitted.
155mm M107 projectiles, with fuzes fitted.
The "flying-cloud thunderclap-eruptor" cannon from the Huolongjing
The "flying-cloud thunderclap-eruptor" cannon from the Huolongjing
Shrapnel shell
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Shrapnel shells were anti-personnel artillery munitions that carried many individual bullets close to a target area and then ejected them to allow them to continue along the shell's trajectory and str
Shell (projectile)
…as TNT removed the need for a pressure-holding casing, so the casing of later shells only needed to contain the munition, and, if desired, to produce shrapnel. The term "shell," however, was sufficiently established that it remained as the term for such munitions. Hollow shells filled with gunpowder needed a…
Setting a time fuse (left) and loading a shell into a gun
Setting a time fuse (left) and loading a shell into a gun
This engraving shows a 12-pounder U.S. shrapnel shell c. 1865. It is fitted with a Borman fuse. In the cutaway view, the dark grey is the wall of the
This engraving shows a 12-pounder U.S. shrapnel shell c. 1865. It is fitted with a Borman fuse. In the cutaway view, the dark grey is the wall of the shell, the medium grey is sulphur resin, the light grey are the musket balls, and the black is the bursting charge.
Original Shrapnel design (left), and Boxer design of May 1852 which avoided premature explosions (right).
Original Shrapnel design (left), and Boxer design of May 1852 which avoided premature explosions (right).
1870s cast-iron RML 16-pounder "Boxer" shrapnel shell showing limited space for bullets.
1870s cast-iron RML 16-pounder "Boxer" shrapnel shell showing limited space for bullets.