Chain-shot

French chain shot

In artillery, a chain-shot is an obsolete type of naval ammunition formed of two sub-calibre balls, or half-balls, chained together. Bar shot is similar, but joined by a solid bar. They were used in naval warfare in the age of sailing ships and black powder cannons to shoot down yards, masts, or to cut the shrouds and any other rigging of a target ship.^[1]

Chain shot was used by the defenders of Magdeburg in May 1631 as an anti-personnel load, which according to counselor Otto von Guericke was one reason for the extreme violence of the victorious attackers.^[2]

When fired, after leaving the muzzle, the shot's components tumble in the air, and the connecting chain fully extends. In past use, as much as six feet of chain would sweep through the target. However, the tumbling made both bar and chain shot less accurate, so they were used at shorter ranges.^[3]

An example of bar shot

Chain shot was normally not used as an anti-personnel load; this role was fulfilled more effectively and at lower cost by canister shot or grapeshot.

The military usefulness of chain shot died out as wooden sail-powered ships were replaced with armored steam ships — first among navies, and then among commercial fleets. Additionally, the conversion of naval armament from smoothbore, muzzle loaded, black powder cannons to rifled, breech loaded guns further slowed the production of new chain shot ammunition; the chain would damage barrels (degrading maximum range, and further degrading effective range by degrading accuracy), and the new breech loading guns and their ammunition were meant to be effective against armored vessels as well as wooden sailing vessels.

In modern times, the effect is replicated in shotguns with the use of Bolo shells — a pair of slugs connected by a strong wire.^[4] They are banned in several jurisdictions, including Florida^[5] and Illinois.^[6]

References

1. ^  This article incorporates content from the 1728 Cyclopaedia, a publication in the public domain.
2. ^ Otto von Guericke: Geschichte der Belagerung, Eroberung und Zerstoerung von Magdeburg, 2. Auflage 1882, S. 16ff.
3. ^ "Pirate Tech". Modern Marvels. 2006-07-09.
4. ^ Of Dragon's Breath and hammer-shells: from bizarre to basic, these shotshells can 'lighten-up' your life! | Guns Magazine | Find Articles at BNET.com
5. ^ Statutes & Constitution :View Statutes : Online Sunshine
6. ^ Public Act 92-0423 of the 92nd General Assembly

This ammunition-related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.v · Categories: Artillery ammunition Projectiles Ammunition stubs Wikimedia Foundation. 2010. Игры ⚽ Нужно сделать НИР? Krasnolymanskyi Raion Maly theatre Look at other dictionaries: Chain shot — Chain Chain (ch[=a]n), n. [F. cha[^i]ne, fr. L. catena. Cf. {Catenate}.] 1. A series of links or rings, usually of metal, connected, or fitted into one another, used for various purposes, as of support, of restraint, of ornament, of the exertion… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English chain shot — n. cannon shot consisting of two balls or half balls connected by a chain, formerly used in naval warfare to destroy masts, sails, etc …   English World dictionary chain shot — noun : a cannon shot consisting of two balls or half balls united by a short chain and formerly used in naval warfare to cut a ship s rigging; also : a discharge of such shot * * * cannon shot consisting of two balls or half balls connected by a… …   Useful english dictionary chain shot — /ˈtʃeɪn ʃɒt/ (say chayn shot) noun Gunnery (formerly) a shot consisting of two balls or half balls connected by a short chain …   chain shot — cannon shot consisting of two balls or half balls connected by a short chain, formerly used in naval artillery to destroy the masts and sails of enemy ships. [1575 85] * * * …   Universalium chain shot — noun historical pairs of cannonballs or half balls joined by a chain, fired from cannons in sea battles …   English new terms dictionary chain-shot — …   Useful english dictionary Chain — (ch[=a]n), n. [F. cha[^i]ne, fr. L. catena. Cf. {Catenate}.] 1. A series of links or rings, usually of metal, connected, or fitted into one another, used for various purposes, as of support, of restraint, of ornament, of the exertion and… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English Chain belt — Chain Chain (ch[=a]n), n. [F. cha[^i]ne, fr. L. catena. Cf. {Catenate}.] 1. A series of links or rings, usually of metal, connected, or fitted into one another, used for various purposes, as of support, of restraint, of ornament, of the exertion… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English Chain boat — Chain Chain (ch[=a]n), n. [F. cha[^i]ne, fr. L. catena. Cf. {Catenate}.] 1. A series of links or rings, usually of metal, connected, or fitted into one another, used for various purposes, as of support, of restraint, of ornament, of the exertion… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English 18+ © Academic, 2000-2024 Contact us: Technical Support, Advertising Dictionaries export, created on PHP, Joomla, Drupal, WordPress, MODx. Mark and share Search through all dictionaries Translate… Search Internet Share the article and excerpts Direct link … Do a right-click on the link above and select “Copy Link”