Hi John,
The 9th edition of "The Gun and its Development" by W.W. Greener says the following:-
"The Shrapnel shell consists of two segments, bolted together by a light wire spindle, its lower end being fixed to ordinary wadding slightly larger in circumference than the shell. The shell is put into the cartridge case instead of loose shot.
This shell differs from ordinary concentrators, and, according to its inventor, the following is the theory of its action:- The opening of the shell is regulated by the length of the spindle, yet for a certain period during its flight the spindle is locked in the shell owing to the temporary distension of the two segments by the contained shot pressing to the circumference of of the shell. When the contained pellets acquire a uniform velocity, they settle down, the shell relaxes, and the spindle is snatched away. When the atmosphere begins to withdraw the spindle, it is then that the length of the spindle tells, and by the time that the spindle is withdrawn from the shell the pellets have all acquired their own path, and cease to jostle each other; at 120 yards a circle four feet in diameter should include the whole of the pattern. Owing to the temporary locking of the spindle, the spherical shell has a minimum range of 90 yards, that is to say it flies as a bullet for that distance, but it is effective at from 95 to 140 yards.
The shrapnel shells... ...if of any use, are only so in guns cylinder bored."
There were 2 types of Shrapnel shell; the round ball one, and an elongated one. I don't know what the number you quote is; could be a patent number, or a registered design number. I am sure that in the dim and distant past, I have seen an article on these things, but cannot remember where, - probably in one of the Cartridge Collector journals, but don't know which or when.
These items are quite scarce, as far as I know; I have only seen a couple in 30 years of collecting!
Regards,
Roger.
