| Kind. | 42 Pr. | 32 | 24 | 18 | 12 | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Inches. | Inches. | Inches. | Inches. | Inches. | ||||||||||||
| Guns. | - | Diameter of the shell | - | Exterior | 6 | ·684 | 6 | ·105 | 5 | ·547 | 5 | ·04 | 4 | ·4 | ||
| Interior | 4 | ·404 | 4 | ·005 | 3 | ·767 | 3 | ·4 | 2 | ·8 | ||||||
| Thickness of metal | 1 | ·14 | 1 | ·05 | 0 | ·89 | 0 | ·82 | 0 | ·8 | ||||||
| Diameter of fuze hole | - | Exterior | 0 | ·892 | 0 | ·894 | 0 | ·894 | 0 | ·832 | 0 | ·832 | ||||
| Interior | 0 | ·826 | 0 | ·826 | 0 | ·826 | ·769 | ·769 | ||||||||
| Powder for bursting | oz. | 14 | 11 | 12 | 9 | 5 | ¹⁄₂ | |||||||||
| Carronades. | - | Diameter of shell | - | Exterior | 6 | ·64 | 6 | ·05 | 5 | ·48 | 4 | ·935 | 4 | ·295 | ||
| Interior | 4 | ·36 | 3 | ·95 | 3 | ·48 | 3 | ·235 | 2 | ·695 | ||||||
| Thickness of metal | 1 | ·14 | 1 | ·05 | 1 | · | ·85 | 0 | ·8 | |||||||
| Shell’s weight | lbs. | 22 | 12 | |||||||||||||
| Contains powder | oz. | 12¹⁄₂ | 9 | |||||||||||||
| Powder for bursting | oz. | 10 | 7 | |||||||||||||
Shells are likewise sometimes quilted into grape. See the word [Shot].
For the method of proving shells, see [Proof].
The Germans do not name their shells from the diameter of the bore which receives them, but from the weight of a stone ball that fits the same bore as the shell. Thus, a 7lb. howitzer admits a stone ball of that weight; the shell for this weighs 15 lb. and answers to the English 5¹⁄₂ inch. The 30 lb. howitzer shell weighs 60 lb. and is rather more than 8 inches in diameter.
Shells were, till lately, made thicker at the bottom than at the fuze hole; but are now cast of the same thickness throughout, and are found to burst into a greater number of pieces in consequence.
Message-Shells, are nothing more than howitz shells, in the inside of which a letter, or other papers, are put; the fuze hole is stopt up with wood or cork, and the shells are fired out of a royal or howitz, either into a garrison or camp. It is supposed that the person to whom the letter is sent, knows the time, and accordingly appoints a guard to look out for its arrival.
Shell. A particular part of a sword, which serves as a shield to the hand when it grasps the hilt. The British regulation sword, which is directed to be worn in a cross belt, has its shell so constructed that one side can fall down, by which means the hilt hangs more conveniently.
Shell. A short jacket without arms, which was worn by light dragoons, and in some instances by the infantry, before the new regulations took place, respecting the clothing of the British army. At the commencement of the present war, some militia colonels derived no inconsiderable emolument from this mode of dress.
SHERISCHER-war, Ind. A word which corresponds with Saturday.
SHERISTA, Ind. An office; a registry; serishtadar, a linguist or secretary.