Matrix

[speedenforcer]

Thinking about the construction of the shells got mw wondering. Is there any documented cases of pieces of the sulphur or tar matrix being removed from wounds. Its hard and when it breaks up produces shrapnel as well. Not as hard as the iron or lead balls but at that speed deadly none the less.

[CarlS]

I would probably take a pretty good size piece to wound someone.  I suspect at a minimum though it would sting like crazy.

[Pete George]

I strongly suspect that no piece of case-shot matrix large enough to cause a wound would "survive" the shell's explosion... because all the versions of civil war case-shot shell matrix were (deliberately chosen) highly flammable material. Pitch, sulfur, and pine-resin matrix all burn with only a little encouragement.  I think the flame-blast of a blackpowder explosion is plenty of encouragement... leaving nothing of the matrix which could cause a wound.
Regards,
Pete

Dec. 26, 2021 Note: I used the Edit option to clarify the first sentence above, because a typo and an accidentally-left-out word made its meaning unclear.

[pipedreamer65]

Good to see you around Pete.  I was wondering how you were doing.

[speedenforcer]

I see. Thank you for the response. Makes sense.