THE ROYAL ARTILLERY INSTITUTION. 
128 
MANUFACTURE OF PALLISER PROJECTILES, COMMON SHELL, 
AND SHRAPNEL SHELL FOR THE 9-PR. R.M.L. GUN. 
BY 
MAJOR W. R. BARLOW, R.A., 
Ci.PT4.IN INSTRUCTOR ROYAL LABORATORY. 
PALLISER PROJECTILES. 
These projectiles are specially intended for the penetration of wrought- 
iron plates, which offer a great resistance to the passage of the shot; the 
plates being very tough and tenacious, but not very hard, as if made hard 
they would lose the tenacity which is absolutely necessary for the work for 
which they are intended. In order that the greatest penetration should be 
obtained from the projectile, it is necessary that its construction should be 
strong, its head of the form best suited to penetration, and the metal 
hard and unyielding. It is essential that the shot should not set up, or 
bulge, and that none of the work should be wasted in heating the shot. If 
tenacity could be combined with these qualities, a perfect projectile might be 
manufactured; but, so far, this has not been attained. 
Looking to the question of strength alone, a solid shot would naturally 
suggest itself; but to this form there are several objections. The length is 
hardly sufficient to give good shooting, and the manufacturing difficulties are 
still more serious. Shot cast solid, of the metal for Palliser projectiles, have 
been found to be liable to fracture when lying in store, or to break up in 
the gun* The 7-in. is the only calibre which has a solid shot, and 
this projectile is not found to be reliable; in fact, it is only re-issued 
from the Royal Laboratory for practice. It is therefore found advisable 
to adopt the form of a shell, or hollow shot. It is necessary to make 
the head solid, the walls thick, and the base as light as possible; in fact, 
to get the weight well forward. It is plain that a heavy base would be 
objectionable, as on impact it would have a tendency to break the walls; 
* Finspong projectiles are cast solid, but they are made of the best charcoal iron, and the base is 
quite soft, so that they can be cast with a dead head which is subsequently cut off. 
[VOL. IX.] 
17 
