The Ammunition.

Weight of cartridge-case1.25 pounds
Weight of charge14 ounces
Weight of projectile12 pounds
Total weight of complete cartridge14 "
Total length of complete cartridge14.1 inches
Bursting-charge, common shell6.3 ounces
Bursting-charge, shrapnel1¾ "
Number of balls in shrapnel160
Effective fragments, shrapnel180
Number of balls in canister125

Fig. 16.

The Ammunition consists of a cartridge-case containing the powder-charge, and the projectile. The drawn metal cartridge-case ([Fig. 16]) is of brass, and is drawn from the solid metal to shape. It is reinforced at the base by inside and outside cups of the same metal. The head is fastened to the base by brass rivets, which clamp the case, cups, and head solidly together. A vent is pierced through the head of the cartridge, and five eccentric-fire holes through the reinforcing-cups. Between the reinforcing-cups is held an iron obturator. The jet of flame from the primer, entering the vent, lifts the obturator and forces its way through the fire-holes to the charge. The charge being ignited, the pressure of the gas immediately forces back the obturator and seals the vent.

The Charge consists of 14 oz. I. K. granular powder. In order to vary the charge the ammunition is made in two parts, viz., projectile and cartridge-case. The cartridge is put into the metallic case in two half-charges, in bags, so that one may be removed if desired.

The vent of the cartridge is sealed with a thin coating of wax.

The Common Shell ([Fig. 17]) is of the cylindro-ogival pattern, with a copper band, and is fitted with a point percussion-fuze. It contains a bursting-charge of about 6.3 ounces (180 grammes) of fine-grain powder.

Fig. 17.

Fig. 18.

Fig. 19.

The Shrapnel ([Fig. 18]) is made of cast iron. It consists of a body to which the head is attached by three copper rivets. The bursting-charge of about 1¾ ounces of fine-grain powder is contained in a chamber in the base, which is brought into communication with the fuze by a central igniting-tube. The shrapnel is loaded with 160 hardened balls packed in sulphur. These projectiles are transported plugged, the combined time and percussion fuze being inserted at the moment of action.

The Canister ([Fig. 19]) consists of a thin brass envelope, which is lined with six wrought-iron segments. The head is of wood, and is fitted with a false point to bring it to the same length as the common shell. On the body is an annular stop to prevent inserting too far into the cartridge-case. The canister contains 125 hardened lead balls.

The common shell are painted black, the shrapnel red, and the canister are unpainted.