Really basic question re shells

[Shipwreck]

Hi everyone when a shell is mentioned, say 18pdr, is that the total weight including the cartridge, or just the warhead? Asking for a friend

 

[ydnum303]

It is the nominal weight of the filled projectile.

 

[Shipwreck]

It is the nominal weight of the filled projectile.

Thanks for that. I will tell my "ahem" friend!

 

[adrian]

When pertaining to a British Ordnance spherical shell it is the weight of the solid shot that nature of gun would fire.
For example, a 32pr gun fired a 6inch dia shot (approximate dia) that weighed about 32lb; and it fired a shell of the same diameter, called a 32pr shell, but weighing significantly less.

 

[Shipwreck]

When pertaining to a British Ordnance spherical shell it is the weight of the solid shot that nature of gun would fire.
For example, a 32pr gun fired a 6inch dia shot (approximate dia) that weighed about 32lb; and it fired a shell of the same diameter, called a 32pr shell, but weighing significantly less.

Thanks Adrian