What's new
British Ordnance Collectors Network

This is a sample guest message. Register a free account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members through your own private inbox!

6in dead

The actual weight is marked on the far "side" of the shell, at the same height as the words Dead Weight.
 
DEAD WT means that "the centre of gravity is where ever you are supporting the weighted load with no support from it"
I hope that makes sense when translated back to French!
Regards
 
The dead weight of a shell was its actual weight, as measured on weighing scales.

Up till around 1916, shells had a specified nominal weight, and dead weight limits of no more than +/- 0.1% of nominal. For example for the 6", nominal weight was 100lb, High dead weight limit was 100lb 1.5oz, Low dead weight limit was 99lb 14.5oz. The result of manufacturing tolerances, the differences in weight from shell to shell would affect the range when fired. The actual measured weight was marked on the shell as the dead weight, and weight corrections were included on the range tables.

By 1918 actual weight was only marked on 12" and 15" shells, all others from 3.7" to 9.2" using a code of painted 1" diameter discs to denominate actual weight bands: 3 discs = above mean to +.5%; 2 discs = mean to -.5% (both inclusive); 1 disc = -.5% to -1%.

It was planned to change the system again before the end of WWI, to have actual weight variations denoted by +3, +2 +1, 0, -1, -2, -3 units about mean weight. For 6" shell the "unit" was 1lb.
 
Top