Palliser Shot
A "Palliser Shot" photographed at the doorway of Annestown House. This shell was invented in 1863 by Sir William Palliser of Comeragh House, Co. Waterford. A Palliser shot is a type of anti-personnel, armour-piercing ammunition, hardened by casting the projectiles point downwards and forming the heads in an iron mold. This process rapidly chilled the hot metal of the nose and made it intensely hard. The remainder of the projectile mold was formed of sand, allowing the metal of the shell body to cool more slowly, making it tough but not brittle. These shells were powder-filled, but did not use a fuse. Instead, they relied upon the shock of striking the target to set off the burster. These shells were effective against wrought iron armor, but shattered against steel armor.
No:
UK1640
Photographer:
Unknown
Date:
Circa 1970
Donor:
Name Kept Private