What is the difference between grapeshot and canister?

When assembled, the shot resembled a cluster of grapes, hence the name. Grapeshot was used both on land and at sea. Canister shot, also known as case shot fired a larger number of smaller projectiles loosely packaged in a tin or brass container, possibly guided by a wooden sabot.

What size shell Do tanks shoot?

Today the largest shells in common use are 155 mm (6.1 in). Gun calibers have standardized around a few common sizes, especially in the larger range, mainly due to the uniformity required for efficient military logistics. Shells of 105 and 155 mm for artillery and 105mm and 120 mm for tank guns in NATO.

How many balls are in a canister shot?

For close-in work they were loaded with canister—a metal can the size of the cannon-bore and filled with 48 iron balls, each 1 1/8th inch in diameter. When fired, these guns were like huge shotguns, the iron balls flying off in a wide arc of death and destruction.

Who invented canister shot?

Henry Shrapnel
Correctly used, this shot could explode in the air and blast the enemy with balls, like a long-range canister shot. This was a sort of British “secret weapon”, invented by Henry Shrapnel in 1784 – his name has become synonymous with the debris from artillery shots.

Did cannonballs explode at Waterloo?

Like a giant shotgun shell, the canister would explode and fire out these iron balls in a devastating blast. These canister shot balls were dug up from the battlefield in the aftermath of Waterloo. Complete canister shots are very rare, because they were destroyed by being fired.

What was the range of 18th century cannons?

Maximum range of eighteenth century guns was about 1 mile. Guns could: Batter heavy construction with solid shot at long or short range; destroy fort parapets and, by ricochet fire, dismount cannon; shoot grape, canister, or bombs against massed personnel.