Photograph of sectioned British 18 pounder field gun shrapnel round, World War I.
Exhibit is on display at the Canadian War Museum, Ottawa. Catalogue information :
Artifact Number 20020045-592
Museum CWM
Place of Use Country - United Kingdom, Municipality - no entry
Place of Origin Country - no entry, Municipality - no entry
Inscription 18 PR II 48 (This indicates it is a 18 pounder Mk II shell. the meaning of 48 is not known; this would normally indicate the date filled as mm yy).
Measurements Height 8.5 cm, Length 12.5 cm, Width 57.0 cm
Events 1914-1919 First World War
Service Component British Expeditionary Force
Category 05: tools and equipment for science and technology
Sub-category E140: armament, ammunition
Caption Artillery Shell, 18-pounder

Additional Description : This cutaway of an 18-pounder shell reveals the 375 lead-antimony shrapnel balls which were embedded in resin to hold them in a stable position.
The fuze in the nose (not present in this example) was time set to ignite as the shell approached the target. The fuze sent a flash down the central tube which contained gunpowder pellets. The flash reached the powder charge in the cavity in the base of the shell. At this point the shell was usually 60-80 feet above the ground and angling down towards the target if the fuze had been set correctly.
This small explosion propelled the balls forward out of the front of the shell case at increased velocity and the shell's spin caused them to spread in a cone moving forward and towards the ground. The effect was of a large shotgun blast fired from in front of and above the target. The usual target was barbed wire defences and troops.
The resin gave off a white puff of smoke as it burned, allowing the gunners to check their aim.

In the cartridge below the shell is a simulated bundle of cordite, the propellant charge which fired the shell.