Chapter VII

SPECIFICATIONS FOR THE MANUFACTURE AND INSPECTION OF THE RUSSIAN 3-INCH SHRAPNEL SHELL

The following specifications relating to the 3-inch Russian shrapnel shell are abstracted from the official specifications, and contain all the essential points required to be known by the manufacturer or the inspector of shrapnel shells. The specifications deal in detail with what is known as the “test consignment” of shells, the “proof consignment” of shells, and the methods of inspecting.

=Clause 1. General Conditions.=--The shrapnel shell consists of the following parts: steel body with copper driving band, steel diaphragm, steel fuse tube, steel fuse base, brass socket nut, bullets, two steel fixing screws, two steel threaded plugs, and a zinc plug. The selection of the material to be used for the shell and the parts is left to the discretion of the manufacturer, but on the condition that it meets the requirements given in the following specifications. Before beginning the manufacture of an order, the manufacturer must submit a _test consignment_ of shells.

=Clause 2. Test Consignment of Shells.=--The selection of shells for the test consignment is left to the discretion of the manufacturer. The trials of the test consignment are carried out in the presence of the inspector appointed by the government for which the shells are made, and of the representative of the firm whose shells are tested. The methods of manufacture of the test consignment of shells must be known to the inspector and must be done in accordance with the requirements in the following specifications. All shells forming the test consignment must be similar in material and made by the same methods of manufacture.

The submission of the test consignment is not required for those firms who have already submitted one, and after the completion of an order have received a new order for the same shells, provided the mechanical conditions for manufacturing the same have not been altered. Firms are allowed to begin the manufacture of the shells before delivering the test consignment, but on the condition that in the case of unsatisfactory results of the trials of the test consignment, all shells previously manufactured by the firm must be rejected.

The test consignment consists of fifty shrapnels, out of which twenty-five are tested, by firing, with a view to ascertaining their accuracy and strength, twenty-two for strength only, and three shrapnels are left for mechanical tests by breaking the test pieces made from them in a testing machine. In the case of the last three shells it is necessary to ascertain before cutting the test pieces from them that the driving bands are pressed on correctly, by removing them. In addition to this, the strength of the shrapnels is tested by exploding them in a pit. For the pit test, those shells are used which are found undamaged after being fired. For this trial, ten shrapnels are used. Before firing the test consignment of shrapnels and before the pit test, the mechanical test must be carried out, and the two first mentioned tests may be carried out only if the metal shows results answering the conditions mentioned in Clause 3 of these specifications.

The test consignment will be considered as passed if the following results are obtained:

1. If during the mechanical tests the metal answers to the conditions laid down.

2. If during firing no shell is broken in the gun or immediately in front of the muzzle.

3. If during firing no socket is separated from the shell in the gun or immediately in front of the muzzle.

4. If on cylindrical parts of the bodies of shrapnels recovered after firing no signs of the rifling are to be found. The slight impression from rifling on the central portion of the shell cannot, however, be taken as a reason for the rejection of the shell, provided that it is noticed only on one-half of the circumference.

5. If shrapnels recovered after firing do not show any dent in their bases or shearing of the socket, or if the increase in the diameter of the cylindrical part of the body does not exceed 0.010 inch.

6. If shrapnels recovered after the firing do not show in more than 15 per cent of the cases the protrusion of the upper end of the central tube from the countersink of the brass socket nut. All these shrapnels must be dismantled for the inspection of the central tubes; the central tubes must not show any considerable sign of buckling, cracks or protrusion into the powder chamber.

7. (a) If during pit test, shrapnels do not show any breaking away of the bases, if their bodies be found intact, and if the same results be found on the shrapnels picked up after firing.

(b) If out of ten shrapnels tested in the pit not more than three show broken bodies.

8. If shrapnels do not show the separation of driving bands from the shell, nor displacement of same, if loosely fixed, and the accuracy of the firing in a vertical plane be not below the requirements given in Clause 19. The signs of the rifling on the driving bands of the recovered shells should be correct and not enlarged.

If the results of the trial of the test consignment give unsatisfactory results with reference to any of the above seven first conditions, or to all of them, the firm will be allowed to submit a second test consignment. In the case of unsatisfactory results of the test consignment with reference to the eighth condition, the firm has the right to submit additionally twenty-five shrapnels for accuracy firing trials only, but these shrapnels must also answer to the other seven conditions. If the trials of the test consignment show satisfactory results, the firm may proceed with the manufacture of shrapnels, but under the condition that the material and method of manufacture will be similar to those used for the manufacture of the test consignment.

In the case of unsatisfactory results of the test of the second test consignment, the contracting government has the right to cancel the order with the firm for delivery of the shrapnels in question. All the test consignments of shrapnels must be at the contracting firm’s expense.

=Clause 3. Breaking Tests of the Material used for Bodies.=--These tests must be carried out at the works where shrapnels are manufactured. Three flat test pieces must be cut from the cylindrical portion of the body parallel to its axis and immediately above the driving band. The dimensions of test pieces are as follows: Width, 0.750 inch; thickness, 0.150 inch; distance between marks, 2 inches. The outline and dimension of the ends must suit the holders of the testing machine. The metal of the bodies will be considered satisfactory if it shows a breaking strength of 82.7 kilograms per square millimeter (52.5 tons per square inch) with a final elongation of not less than 8 per cent. In addition to this, the inspector must select two bodies from the test consignment before the beginning of final machining for cutting from the round test pieces with a diameter of 0.3 inch, length 2 inches between marks, three test pieces being cut from each shell. The breaking test of these test pieces must be carried out on the testing machine, and the elastic limit of the material must be ascertained on them.

=Clause 4. The Proof Consignment of Shrapnels.=--As mentioned, the shrapnels under order must be manufactured from similar material and by similar methods to the shrapnels of the test consignment. The acceptance of shrapnels for the service, however, can be effected only after “proof tests” of the mechanical qualities of the metal used, of the accuracy of firing, and of the strength and proper assembling, and pit tests.

The whole order is sub-divided into consignments of 5000 shrapnels each. The method of manufacture of the shrapnels must be entirely the same for the whole consignment.

In the case of the order being placed for a number of shrapnel less than 5000, the whole order will be treated as one proof consignment; in the case of the order being placed for a larger number of shrapnels, the remainder from a full proof consignment must be treated as a part of the previous consignment, when it is less than half of the proof consignment, and must form a separate proof consignment when it is more than half of same.

The choice of shrapnels for proof must be made by the inspector personally from the proof consignment submitted by the firm. The choice must be made after final inspection of the whole consignment. The works have the right to challenge the shrapnels chosen by the inspector for the proof, having the right to do it only twice. The shrapnels challenged in that manner must be destroyed, so as to prevent any further submission of same for proof. The shrapnels challenged must be replaced by the firm.

For the mechanical tests of the metal, it is recommended to select bodies which were rejected on account of their dimensions, but in the case of the absence of any bodies rejected for the dimensions, the works must provide good bodies selected by the inspector. Not less than ten bodies must be chosen from the proof consignment. The rules and requirements for the metal used for the shrapnel bodies were given in Clause 3.

In the case of satisfactory results of these mechanical tests, the firm must submit from each proof consignment fifty shrapnels for the firing trials for their strength. After firing trials, the pit tests must be carried out, for which proof recovered shrapnels which do not show any damage after firing will be used. Ten shrapnels must be used for pit tests.

All proof tests must be carried out in the presence of the inspector sent for this purpose to the works, and the mechanical tests of the metal must be carried out by the inspector himself. The projectiles used for the proof firing must not be painted but only covered with machine oil.

The consignment will be accepted if the mechanical or firing proof tests fulfill the same requirements as have been laid down in Clause 2, Conditions 1 to 8, with the exception that in Condition 6, in the case of the proof test, 20 per cent, instead of 15 per cent, as in the case of the consignment test, may show protrusion of the upper end of the central tube from the countersink of the brass socket nut.

If, during firing, breakages of the shrapnels in the gun or immediately in front of the muzzle should occur, the whole consignment must be rejected.

In the case of unsatisfactory results with reference to trials mentioned in Clause 2, Conditions 3, 4, 5, and 6 (which must not be more than one shell with reference to Conditions 3, 4, and 5), the firm has the right to submit 100 additional shrapnels chosen by the inspector for the firing for recovery proof. If during pit tests more than three shrapnel bodies are broken, an additional five shrapnels must be subjected to the same test, but for the acceptance of the consignment it is required that, in total, no more than five broken shrapnel bodies occur.

With reference to damaged or displaced driving bands, or the impression of the rifling on them not being clear, or being enlarged, it is left to the discretion of the contracting government to demand the changing of the driving bands on the whole consignment, after which rebanding they must be submitted for second proof, twenty-five shrapnels being tested for accuracy: these shrapnels must be chosen by the inspector after reviewing the whole consignment. If during the secondary firing trials which take place on account of failures with reference to any one of the above-mentioned reasons, further failures to the same effect take place, the question of the acceptance of the whole consignment must be referred to the respective military administration.

In the case of the failures of both trials, first and secondary, the permission for the further manufacture of projectiles by the firm in question will be left to the discretion of the respective military authorities.

In the case of the acceptance of the consignment after the proof, the shrapnels used for the proof in question, fifty in number, must be taken from the order. Any other shrapnels, used for proof in addition to the above-mentioned number, must be at the expense of the manufacturer.

=Clause 5. The Rights and Duties of the Government Inspector.=--The inspector’s duty consists not only in the acceptance of the manufactured shrapnels, but also in looking after the methods, etc., used in the manufacture. In order to do this, the inspector must be given the right of access to any work and test referring to the shrapnel manufacture.

The inspector has the right to inform the manager of the works of all defects noticed by him in manufacture of the shrapnels, as well as of those which occur in the shrapnels submitted for acceptance, and he has the right to suggest improvements to the manufacturer; it is left to the discretion of the manager of the works to make use of these suggestions, if it is found advisable, but the inspector has not the right to interfere with the orders issued in the works.

Before submitting to the inspector the shrapnels manufactured the works must pass them by their own examiners; these examiners must work to the instructions given to them by the works, and prepared to the inspector’s satisfaction. The inspector has to gage shrapnels by the gages stated in the following specifications. He also must check them with reference to their dimensions, as given on the drawings, before beginning inspection.

=Clause 6. The Condition in which Shrapnel Bodies are Submitted.=--Steel shrapnel bodies are submitted to the first inspection without socket, driving band, and inner parts. The outside cylindrical portion of the bodies as well as the enlarged centering portion must be machined and finished; shrapnel bodies must be submitted with grooves for driving bands and with other grooves in the base of the shell.

The rounded portion of the bodies above the enlarged centering portion must be machined only preliminarily. The inside of the bodies must be finish-machined, and the shoulder for the diaphragm as well as the cylindrical portion of the body against the diaphragm must be properly finished; the upper part of the inside surface must be provided with threads for socket. The remaining portion of the inside surface might be roughly machined. The base of the shrapnels may be left with a boss outside with center marked on it, but the remaining portion of the base must be finish-machined. This applies to the first inspection.

=Clause 7. The First Inspection of Shrapnel Bodies.=--The surface of the enlarged centering portion must be perfectly smooth and the cylindrical portion of the bodies must not show any tool marks, except slight ones. The outer surfaces of the central portion and the enlarged centering portion must be polished. Special care must be taken in polishing the enlarged centering portion. The inside surface of the bodies must be clean and smooth. The outer and inner surfaces of shrapnels must not show any cracks, fissures, or black lines (not even the very slightest of these), nor burrs. The inner surface of the bodies may show separate dents due to slag, but these dents must be of a very slight nature. The thread in the upper end of the bodies for the socket must have at least five full turns.

=Clause 8. The Checking of the Weight of Shrapnel Bodies.=--Out of each one hundred bodies submitted to the inspector, at least ten bodies must be weighed. These weights will assist the inspector with reference to the dimensions of the bodies, and might draw his attention to the dimensions of those parts for measuring of which there are no gages provided. In addition to this, during the manufacture of the test consignment, the inspector must ascertain the mean weight of the shrapnel bodies in this consignment, as well as any possible variation in any direction.

=Clause 9. Inspection and Test of Copper for Driving Bands.=--Pure copper is used for the driving bands. It must be of the best quality, and hard drawn; ordinary copper, not drawn, must not be used for driving bands. The copper strips must be cut into pieces of the lengths required for their placing on the shrapnels. The copper strips must be submitted to the inspector for acceptance and for the following tests:

1. The strips must be bent double in cold condition until the ends meet; when the ends meet, the strip is hammered until both halves are flat; if during this test the strip does not show any cracks or breakages, the metal will be considered as accepted.

2. The strip is hammered in cold condition until its thickness is reduced one-half; after this trial it must not show any fissures or cracks.

Not more than 1 per cent of the strips submitted must be subjected to the above tests.

If it is found that any of the strips tested will not stand the tests, the whole consignment of strips is rejected, or is returned to the firm for reviewing, so as to give the firm the possibility to submit again that part of the consignment which might be considered good. During secondary test another 1 per cent of strips will be chosen, and in the case of any failures the whole consignment will be finally rejected.

In case of satisfactory results in the tests mentioned, the inspector examines the copper strips so as to ascertain that they are of proper cross-section; special notice must be taken with reference to fissures. Fissures exceeding one-tenth of the strip in length are not allowed. The inspector must examine 20 per cent of all strips, and, during this examination, if even one strip be found with fissures longer than mentioned, the whole consignment of strips will be returned to the firm for reviewing. If during secondary examination the inspector finds even one fissure exceeding the mentioned length, the whole consignment of copper will be rejected.

=Clause 10. Fixing of Driving Bands.=--To prevent cracks in shrapnel bodies during the fixing of the driving bands, a mandrel must be placed inside the bodies, and this mandrel must fit the inside surface of the bodies tightly. The inspection of the grooves must be carried out by means of the gages made by the firm to suit the inspector’s requirements. To facilitate the fixing of the driving bands on the shrapnel bodies, the bottom of the grooves may be provided with waved ribs. The depth of these grooves must not exceed 0.005 inch. The width of the surface with the waved ribs is left to the decision of the firm and inspector.

The method of fixing the driving bands is left to the discretion of the firm, the only requirement being that the order must be manufactured by the same methods as used for the manufacture of test consignment, provided that the firing trial of that consignment was satisfactory. The number of shrapnels supplied by the firm for this firing and for the inspection of the driving bands is mentioned in Clause 2. If the firm is proposing to alter the method of the fixing of the driving bands, it must submit, at its own expense, a test consignment of 25 shrapnels for firing trials.

During the manufacture of the order for shrapnels the inspector has the right to choose, if he thinks it necessary, from each consignment submitted to him, not more than 1 per cent of the projectiles for the removal of their driving bands, in order to ascertain how close they are to the shrapnel bodies. The inspector also has the right to demand an accuracy trial with some of the above-mentioned shrapnel, but in this case he must give detailed reasons for doing so. If the results of this firing are unsatisfactory, the military authorities have the right to demand the replacement of driving bands on the whole order.

=Clause 11. Secondary Inspection of Shrapnel Bodies after the Firing of Driving Bands.=--The shrapnels are submitted for the secondary inspection with fixed driving bands, finished sockets, steel diaphragms in place, central tubes and socket nut, but without socket fixing screws, as well as fuse fixing screws. The central bosses on the base must be cut away in cases where the shrapnels were submitted with them for the first inspection. The powder chamber, lower portion of steel diaphragms, and inner surface of central tube must be covered with durable varnish.

During this inspection special care must be taken to ascertain the proper fixing of the driving band. The proper fixing of the driving bands is ascertained by (1) sounding them with small hammers, and (2) removal of driving bands from some shrapnels, preferably those rejected. The driving bands when being sounded with hammer must not make any jarring sound. The jarring sound is only allowed at the joint of the driving band, for not more than one-tenth of its length; the bands not answering to these conditions must be replaced by new ones. The driving bands, after being removed from the shrapnel, must have impressions of the waved grooves on the bottom of the groove; the inside surface must not show the pink color of the unused copper, but must be smooth and give a slight reflection.

When removing the driving band, special attention must be paid to the fact that the bands fit properly into the sides of the groove, and that they are close to the shrapnel bodies. In the case of copper strips being too wide, the shrapnel bodies show cracks, sometimes on account of the method of fixing and sometimes on account of too high a pressure. These cracks can be ascertained by sounding the shrapnels with a hammer; the cracked shrapnels will make a dull sound. Such shrapnels must be rejected.

During secondary inspection, the inspector must ascertain the following facts:

1. If the powder chamber, lower surface of steel diaphragms, and inner surface of the central tube are varnished; if steel diaphragms fit properly in the corresponding place of the shrapnel bodies; steel diaphragms must bear on the lower surface of the shoulder and must be in close contact with the inside surface of the shrapnel bodies. Special care must be taken with reference to the tight fitting of the steel diaphragms.

2. The base of shrapnel bodies must be absolutely smooth; attention must be paid to the presence of rough surfaces; black spots, cracks, or any damages, which are not allowed on the site of the central boss; shrapnel bodies with such defects are not allowed.

The final finishing of the driving band may be done after the shrapnels are nickel-plated, at the discretion of the inspector.

=Clause 12. Inspection of Steel Diaphragms.=--Diaphragms are made from steel stampings under the hammer or press. The metal, with reference to the mechanical qualities, must meet the requirements set forth for the shrapnel bodies (see Clause 3). The holes for the central tubes must be drilled; these holes must be made with a shoulder for the central tube; the outer surface of the diaphragm, as well as the shoulder of the hole for the central tube, must be accurately machined. The diaphragms must not show any cracks or other defects.

The test of the metal for the diaphragms consists of hammering them by the dropping of a weight from a certain height. The number of blows which the diaphragms can stand without any cracks must be ascertained by the inspector during the manufacture of the test consignment of shrapnels. In addition to this, the quality of the metal must be ascertained by the Brinell test. During firing, the diaphragms must not show any dents; this fact must be ascertained on some shrapnels recovered after the firing.

The manufacturer must supply the inspector with ten diaphragms for the mechanical tests of material. These diaphragms will be chosen by the inspector from the total number of diaphragms for the whole consignment. For the hammering tests, not more than one per cent of the total diaphragms must be chosen, and the Brinell test must be carried out on not less than one per cent of the whole number of diaphragms. In the case of satisfactory results, the whole consignment is accepted; otherwise, additional tests on two per cent of the diaphragms must be carried out, and in the case of unsatisfactory results, even on one diaphragm, the whole consignment will be rejected. Diaphragms must be submitted for inspection in quantities not less than 200. The lower surface of the diaphragm must be varnished after inspection.

In the case of the manufacturer being allowed to make shrapnels without submission to test consignment, as per Clause 3, the inspector must test the diaphragms as usual.

=Clause 13. Inspection of Central Tube.=--The central tubes must be made of steel, must not show any cracks, must be properly welded, and must be of similar thickness on the whole length. For the purpose of ascertaining the mechanical qualities of the metal used for the central tubes, small cylinders ⁵⁄₈ inch in length (1¹⁄₂ times the diameter of the tube) must be cut from some of the tubes which have been previously properly measured; these cylinders must be subjected to a compression test under the press. The minimum resistance shown by these cylinders under compression, before the beginning of buckling, must be not less than 14.45 tons per square inch. The outer as well as the inner surfaces of tubes must be smooth and their ends must be cut perpendicular to their axes. The length of the tube is ascertained during the assembling of the shrapnel. In the assembled shrapnel, the upper end of the central tube must be inside of the countersunk hole provided for in the socket nut.

=Clause 14. Inspection of Sockets.=--Sockets must be manufactured from steel. The breaking strength of steel used for sockets must be of about 60 kilograms per square millimeter (38.1 tons per square inch), with an elongation not less than 16 per cent (the distance between marks being 2 inches). Sockets are submitted for inspection in quantities of not less than 100; they must be tapped with thread on the inside as well as on the outside surfaces; the conical portion of the surface must be machined; the upper surface must be machined, but this machining may be left rough at this stage; those parts of the sockets by which they are fixed to the shrapnel bodies must be accurately machined; the sockets must be accurately cut. The sockets must be provided with two holes, one for filling with resin, and another one for the escape of gases. If sockets are stamped, the outer surface of the stem can be left without machining, but it must be very smooth. The upper surface of the sockets may be submitted to the inspector without being finish-machined. The sockets must not show any signs of cracks, fissures or any rough surface. Chipping in the thread of the hole or on the conical fuse seat may be allowed, but of a very slight nature.

To ascertain the mechanical qualities of the metal used for sockets, the inspector has the right to carry out the tests on one per cent of the sockets from each consignment. For this purpose, rings must be cut from the upper portion of the sockets, and these rings are subjected to the hammering test by a weight dropped from a certain height. In addition, the sockets must be tested with the Brinell test, and for this purpose not less than 1 per cent of the sockets must be used.

=Clause 15. Inspection of Brass Socket Nuts.=--The socket nuts must be cast of an alloy consisting of 2 parts of copper and 1 part of zinc, taken by weight. The socket nuts are submitted to the inspector after being finally machined, threaded, with finished upper and lower surfaces, with central hole made to the drawing, and with slot for the key. Socket nuts must not show any defects.

=Clause 16. Bullets and Smoke Compositions.=--Bullets must be of a true spherical shape; they must be cast of an alloy consisting of 4 parts of lead and 1 part of antimony, taken by weight; sprues must be cut off, and the surface of the bullets must be smooth. The diameter of the bullets is 0.5 inch; mean weight, 0.376 ounce. Separate bullets may differ from the mean weight, but they must not be less than 0.373 ounce, and not more than 0.381 ounce. Under slight hammering the bullets must not show any cracks. The force of the blow must be decided by the inspector, the reason for this test being to ascertain if the bullets can be used in shrapnels where they are slightly compressed, as after this pressure they must not show any cracks. Shrapnel must contain from about 256 to 265 bullets.

The bullets must be placed in proper layers, and each layer must be slightly pressed in, but after this pressure bullets must not be deformed to any noticeable extent, except those in the bottom layer. Layers consist of 17 or 18 bullets, except the top layers, which have about 20 bullets each. The five bottom layers of bullets must be covered with smoke composition made of metallic antimony and magnesium in the following proportions, by weight: 55 parts of antimony and 45 parts of magnesium; 0.75 ounce of smoke composition must be put in each shrapnel. This composition must be put in after the first five layers of bullets are in place, and the shrapnel must be shaken in order to settle the powder. The smoke composition must ignite very quickly. The inspector must see that the composition is made from the magnesium and antimony as stated above. With bullets in place, and with socket in proper position, the shell must be filled with melted resin.

=Clause 17. The Third Inspection of Shrapnels and Checking of Their Weight.=--The shrapnels for the third inspection are submitted after being fully assembled and charged with the bullets and smoke composition, and after being filled with resin; the holes in the sockets used for filling with resin and for the escape of gases must be stopped with threaded steel plugs. These plugs must be riveted over and polished flush with the surface of the socket.

During the third inspection, the shrapnel is gaged with special gages to check shape; the hole for the fuse is tested by a special screw gage; copper driving bands must be inspected and gaged. After this inspection the shrapnels are weighed. The shells which show the ends of the driving bands not completely touching each other, may be accepted if the distance between them is very small.

The outer surface of the socket must be finish-machined and must be smooth and perpendicular to the center line of the fuse socket. The socket must be fixed by means of steel screws, the outer ends of which must be cut flush with the surface of the shrapnel, and polished over.

During this inspection, the inspector must ascertain that the head portion of the shrapnels does not show any cracks due to the drilling and tapping of the holes for the screws. The head of the shrapnel must be provided with a tapped hole for the fuse securing screw. The head of this screw must be flush with the shrapnel bodies. The upper end of the central tube must fill completely the countersunk part provided for it in the socket nut, if it is in proper position. The steel gage rod dropped into the opening of the central tube must reach the base of the shrapnel.

To ascertain the proper assembling of the inner part of the shrapnels, the inspector has the right to demand dismantling of not more than 0.5 per cent of the shrapnels submitted. While inspecting the dismantled shrapnels, the inspector must ascertain the following points:

1. If the thread of fixing screws for socket and fuse, as well as the threads in holes for them, are cleanly cut, and if the length of these screws is sufficient.

2. If the socket remains steady when screwed into the shrapnel bodies, before being fixed with screws.

3. If the end of the central tube remains clean and the central tube itself is not damaged by the bullets.

4. If the bullets are covered with resin and if the shrapnels are filled with smoke composition.

5. If the number of bullets is correct, and also that they are not appreciably damaged after pressing.

6. If the steel diaphragm is in the right position in the shrapnel.

After the third inspection the shrapnels must be weighed; the normal weight of the assembled shrapnels, without zinc plugs, must be 13 pounds 7.33 ounces ± 1.053 ounce. All shrapnels passed by the inspector must be stamped on the base.

=Clause 18. Nickel-plating, Varnishing and Oiling.=--All the outside surfaces of the shrapnel with the exception of the copper driving bands must be nickel-plated and varnished. This nickel-plating and varnishing must be durable. The manufacturer must take steps to prevent the passage of the liquid inside of the shrapnels during nickel-plating. The shrapnels must be inspected by the manufacturer after being nickel-plated so as to ascertain that no liquid passed inside the powder chamber, and, if necessary, the chamber must be cleaned. The shrapnels must be submitted for final inspection after being nickel-plated and varnished.

The socket in the front portion of the shrapnel must be oiled and covered with the zinc plug shown in Fig. 1; the socket must be fitted with fixing screws for the fuse; the screws must be oiled with naphtha grease. The copper driving bands must be gaged during this inspection. While inspecting the shrapnels, the inspector must see to the following points:

1. That the driving bands are not damaged; shrapnels with damaged bands must be returned to the works for new bands.

2. That the nickel-plating of the shrapnels is sound and that the nickel-plated surfaces do not show any signs of rust.

3. That the fixing screw for the fuse is properly cut; the top of this screw, when screwed completely down, must slightly protrude over the surface of the shrapnel. The threads must be Whitworth, 24 threads per inch. A plug and ring gage must be provided for gaging this thread.

4. That the socket is free from rust.

5. That the powder chamber, as well as the inside of the central tube, is clean.

The zinc plug must fit properly to the upper surface of the fuse socket. The copper driving bands must be oiled with naphtha grease to prevent them from corroding. The shrapnel, before shipping from the works, must be packed in strong wooden boxes. The details of the packing is left to the discretion of the manufacturer, provided that it is approved by the inspector. While packing, care must be taken to place driving bands in guards to prevent their being damaged by knocks from the outside, or from rattling one against the other, or against the packing during transport.

The number of shrapnels packed in one box must not exceed, in weight (box included), 253 pounds.

When shipping the manufactured shrapnels from the works, two spare fuse fixing screws must be put in every box. Spare zinc plugs, 5 per cent of the total number supplied, must be delivered together with order and packed in separate wooden boxes, 50 in each box.

=Clause 19. Firing Tests.=--The works must deliver the required number of shrapnels to the place where they will be tested. The proof by firing will be carried out with a 3-inch quick-firing gun with a charge of smokeless powder, and with chamber pressure of 2400 atmospheres (15.75 tons per square inch).

The recovery proof must be carried out without bursting charge, but the shrapnels must be fitted with time fuses. When time fuses are not available, the proof must be carried out with steel or brass dummy fuses similar to those used for accuracy trials. These dummy fuses must be supplied at the expense of the firm. Every shrapnel must be weighed and the weights taken down.

The time fuse must be set a distance of from 1400 to 1635 yards. It must be noticed whether or not the fuse explodes. To obtain the best conditions for observation, the firing must take place with sight set up 10 divisions higher than is required by the range. Up to one-third of the shrapnels proved for recovery must be fired with bursting charge, so as to ascertain that they are properly assembled. The fuse socket in the last mentioned cases must be plugged with dummy fuses.

The firing must be carried out at such a range as to enable the recovery of the shrapnels for inspection and measuring of same; all shrapnels, before firing, must be measured on their cylindrical portion and the accuracy of the base must be ascertained, in order to facilitate notice being taken with reference to the bulging of the bodies and bases of the shrapnels. The diameters of the cylindrical portion must be taken in sections two inches apart. Marks must be made on the copper driving bands and on the cylindrical part of the shrapnel bodies adjacent, to facilitate notice being taken of the displacement of the driving band, if such takes place.

For accuracy trials, shrapnels without time fuse must be used, and special steel or brass dummy fuses must be screwed in; the outline and weight of this dummy must be similar to that of the fuse, and the weight of the shrapnel with such dummy must be 14 pounds 5.33 ounces. These dummy fuses must be made by the manufacturer at his expense. The accuracy trials must be carried out by aiming the gun at a vertical target at a range of 2335 yards.

After the firing trial for recovery and for accuracy, the maximum possible number of shrapnels must be recovered and inspected, as to any marks from the rifling on the shrapnel bodies, any dents or damages on bases or heads, any displacement of the driving bands or any shrapnels with broken off bases. To ascertain the accuracy of fitting of the steel diaphragms, and the condition of the bullets, two shrapnels must be dismantled. In addition, all those shrapnels which have displaced central tubes must be dismantled. The shrapnels must be measured on their diameter in order to ascertain the deformations. A pit test must also be carried out. The shrapnels must be fully loaded for the pit test and must be fitted with ordinary zinc plugs screwed into the fuse sockets.