THE ROYAL ARTILLERY INSTITUTION. 
m 
They are rifled with three grooves, having a uniform spiral of 1 turn in 
20 calibres. 
The gun should weigh not more than 200 lbs., so it is probable that one 
of the steel guns will become the service pattern. They were made for special 
service in Bhootan. 
Projectiles . 
The projectiles for this gun consist of a common shell and a case shot of 
Lieut. Reeve's pattern. A shrapnel, of Colonel Boxer’s new pattern for 
rifled ordnance, has also been proposed. 
The shell is 2| calibres in length, lacquered inside, and fitted with three 
rows of zinc studs, two in a row, fastened in by being compressed into 
undercut holes. The fuze hole is of the same size and shape as that of a 
common smooth-bore shell, and takes Pettman's land service fuze, and a 
wood time fuze of Colonel Boxer's. This differs chiefly from the common 
in the composition bore being lined with a paper cylinder, and in the head 
being closed with a brass screw plug with a centre pin. Quickmatch is 
secured round the pin, passing out through two fire holes, and is laid in a 
groove round the outside of the head of the fuze. It is protected by a band 
of copper and tape, which is removed when the shell is in the bore, thereby 
exposing it to the flash of the discharge. 
The object of this arrangement is to prevent the fuze being extinguished 
on the shells entering an earthwork, and also to protect the burning compo¬ 
sition from the action of the air, which would affect the rate of burning in 
proportion to the velocity the shell was travelling at. This fuze is the same 
size as the common, but a little longer, to give room for the plug. 
It only differs from the fuze used with the 7 and 9-inch shells in being 
smaller. They both contain 2 inches of composition. 
The shell weighs, empty, 6 lbs. 14 oz.; filled, 7 lbs. 4 oz. 
The case shot is of Reeve's pattern, and weighs 4 lbs. 12 oz. 
Charges for the Woolwich gun . 
There are three charges each for the larger natures, called the battering, 
service, and saluting charges. The battering charge would only be used with 
solid shot against iron 
plating. 
They are as follows : 
— 
in. 
Battering. 
Service. 
Saluting. 
9 . 
... 43 lbs. 
. 30 lbs.. 
. 15 lbs. 
7 . 
... 22 n . 
. 14 „ . 
. 10 „ 
The 7-in. cartridge contains 8 oz., and is conical in shape, with one braid 
hoop. Rifle L.G. powder is used for all. 
[vol. v.] 
