Palliser shot

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Palliser shot invented by Sir William Palliser and hence its name.

Major Palliser's shot, approved October 21, 1867 was an improvement over the ordinary elongated shot of the time. It was adopted for the larger types of Rifled muzzle loading guns rifled on the Woolwich principal (with three rifling grooves). Palliser shot in many calibers stayed in service in the armour piercing role until phased out of service (British) in 1909 for naval and fortresses, and land service 1921. ^[1]

Palliser shot was manufactured from round billets of cast iron. The points were heated and quick chilled to harden the metal. At times there were defects that lead to cracking in the projectiles but these were overcome with time. Bronze studs were installed into the outside of the projectile so as to engage the rifling grooves in the gun barrel. The base had a hollow pocket but was not filled with powder or explosive. This hole at the base was threaded to accept a copper gas check. This prevented propellant gasses from blowing around the projectile providing obturation as the driving band had yet to be perfected. Later designs did away with the studs on the projectile body with the gas checks being set with grooves to impart spin to the projectile.

At the Battle of Angamos the Chilean battleships fired 20 250 pound-Palliser gunshots, against the Huascar, with devastating results. It was the first time that such piercing shells were used in actual combat. ^[2]