Case-shot

Case-shot, or CANISTER, is an artillery projectile for use at close quarters, and consists of a sheet-iron or tin cylinder filled with bullets varying from $\backslash frac\{1\}\{2\}$ an oz. to 1 lb. in weight, and in number according to the size of the gun. The cylinder is closed by discs of wood, tin, or iron, its walls are strengthened by loose pieces of iron, and the interstices between the balls are packed with shavings and sawdust. On discharge the canister breaks up at once, and the bullets spread over a wide area, but with a low velocity. For this reason they have little effect beyond 300 yards, even on hard open ground, which is best suited to their action. Case-shot is chiefly used in the close defence of works, or against cavalry, and at sea against a boat attack. At long ranges its place is taken by Shrapnel Shell (q.v.).