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
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 Information (corrected) : This cutaway of an 18-pounder shell reveals the shrapnel balls which were embedded in resin to hold them in a stable position. The fuze in the nose was time set to ignite the powder charge in the cavity in the base of the shell as it approached the target. At this point the shell was usually angling towards the ground. This small explosion propelled the balls forward out of the case and they spread apart in a cone at increased velocity 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.

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

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