Encyclopedia · Manufacture, materials, and testing

Projectile casting

Shot and shell were cast of iron in moulds, the hollow shells formed around a core. Sabots of lead were often cast onto rifled projectiles as part of the process.

Also known as: casting shot and shell.

MaterialCast iron
Solid shotCast solid in a mould
ShellCast hollow around a core to form the cavity
SabotLead sabots often cast onto rifled projectiles

Casting shot and shell

Projectiles were cast of iron poured into moulds. Solid shot and bolts were cast solid, while shells were cast around a core that left the interior cavity for the bursting charge, the fuze hole then finished for its plug or fuze.

For many rifled projectiles the lead sabot was cast onto the base of the iron body, so that casting produced the driving band as well as the projectile, a method seen in the Read and other systems.

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