Painted marks referring to loading are found on the ogive.
H. E. shells are usually painted red.
Marks referring to weight are painted in black just above the rotating band, as follows:
| L.— | very light. |
| +— | light. |
| ++— | normal. |
| +++— | heavy. |
| ++++— | very heavy. |
A white cross above these marks means that a plate has been welded on the base. These marks are also painted on the boxes.
Shells fitted with cartridge cases (fixed ammunition) are not painted below the rotating bands.
Special Shell.
Incendiary shells.—These incendiary shells are filled with some flame-producing liquid, alumino thermic charge or incendiary cylinder composed of slow burning linstock and string strongly impregnated with saltpeter.
Markings.—Green with red ogive.
All shells containing black powder are more or less incendiary. Percussion shrapnel is incendiary.