Encyclopedia · Projectiles and ammunition

Hotchkiss case shot

Hotchkiss case shot was the antipersonnel form of the Hotchkiss rifled projectile, carrying balls and a bursting charge to burst in the air and shower the balls over troops.

Also known as: Hotchkiss case.

ClassAntipersonnel rifled projectile (Hotchkiss system)
ContentsBalls with a bursting charge
ActionBursts in the air to shower the balls

Air-bursting Hotchkiss

Hotchkiss case shot combined the Hotchkiss driving system with the antipersonnel role of case shot. The projectile carried a load of balls around a bursting charge and, timed by its fuze, burst in the air so the balls swept forward over the target.

It gave rifled guns the reach of case shot beyond canister range while retaining the banded Hotchkiss body, and it is identified by that construction together with its internal balls when the case is broken.

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