Ordnance. Arms, ammunition, and their accessories.
Piece. A fire arm, small or large.
Primer. Device used to insure ignition of the propelling charge.
Projectile. The effect-producing part of the round. The bullet-like form which is thrown toward the target.
Quadrant, gunners. A device for measuring angles of elevation.
Recoil Mechanism. That part of the piece which checks the recoil—or kick—that always occurs when a piece is fired. It generally includes the counter-recoil mechanism which restores the tube “into battery” after it has fired.
Rifle. A gun. A weapon with a comparatively long barrel and high muzzle velocity. Rifles under 6 inches seldom use over two different charges. Term used in contrast to Howitzer or Mortar.
Rifling. The lands and grooves in the bore of the piece which imparts to the projectile during its passage through the bore, the rotary motion that increases accuracy and range.
Round. Consists of the primer, cartridge case or powder bags, projectile and fuze. For light Field Artillery the round weighs about 18 lbs and the projectile about 15.
Shell. A projectile which secures its effect by the force of its detonation, the bursting of its walls, and the fragmentation and velocity of the fragments. Also used as a gas carrier.