A 10 cm le.F.H. 18 hollow charge shell, designated "10 cm Gr. 39 rot Hl" is described in Pamphlet No. 8 and illustrated in Fig. 20. Shell of later design with a letter "A", "B" or "C" added to the abbriviation "Hl", are illustrated in Fig. 14. These shell differ from the former design mainly in the shape of the shell cap, filling, shape of the hollow cavity in the bursting charge and the model of the gaine. The shell bodies of the latter three types are similar, but differ in the method of securing the cap as shown in Fig. 14. The overall length of the shell, with fuze, is 19.75 inches. The present standard issuse is design Hl/C.

The fuze used in each is the A.Z. 38 described in Pamphlet No. 8 and illustrated in Fig. 10. The gaine "Zündladung 41" is described in Pamphlet No. 10.

The weight of the shell filled and fuzed is 26 lb. 14 1/2 oz. The wall of the shell is com-paratively thin, and the cavity for the bursting charge tapers towards the base. An in-ternal screwthreaded is formed at the front end to receive the base of the cap which is secured by a rivet. The cap is of greater crh than that of the shell of original design. The single driving band is 0.59 inches wide and of the ferrous type.

The bursting charge, indicated by the numeral "95" stencilled on the shell body, is cyclo-nite, T.N.T. and wax, the percentage of each being approximately 57, 40 and 3 respec-tively. It weighs 3 lb. 4 oz. 9 dr. and is in three blocks. The blocks are contained in a waxed paper carton and are secured to the shell by a bituminous composition lining the walls. A blue label, printed in black, and affixed to the carton, reads as follows:–

Sprengladung
der 10 cm Gr. 39
H.5 (SH) krl 1941
Fp 02 (umkr) elg 1941
rdf       95       93/1941

A central channel, in two diameters, is formed in the blocks to accommodate the gaine in the base and above it an aluminium tube approximately 0.4 inches in diameter. The top block is formed with a coned cavity in which is fitted a steel liner. The liner is attached to the upper end of the tube. Two plastic washer are fitted between the top of the liner and an internal shoulder in the cap.

The weight of the shell filled and fuzed is 26 lb. 10 oz. The shell body and cap is similar to the "Hl/A"excepting that the cap is secured by a screw.

The bursting charge, as indicated by the numeral "91" stencilled on the shell body is cy-clonite (95/5). It weighs 3 lb. 4 oz. 9 dr. and is in three blocks. The charge, which does not extend into the cap, is contained in a paper carton which is secured to the wall of the shell cavity by a bituminous composition. A label, similar to that on the Hl/A charge, is affixed to the carton and reads as follows:–

Sprengladung
d.  10 cm  Gr. 39  Hl/B
versch      H.5      42
cwg.         91       541/42

A central channel, in two diameters, is formed in the blocks to accommodate the gaine in the base, and above it an aluminium tube. The top block is formed with a saucer shaped cavity in which is fitted a steel liner. The tube is approximately 0.71 inches in diameter, and the liner is attached to its upper end. The cap is screwed on to the body metal to metal, and there were no plastic or cardboard washers fitted.

The weight of the shell filled and fuzed is 26 lb. 13 oz. The bursting charge, cavity liner and aluminium tube are similar to those in the "Hl/B" shell except that the top of the shell cavity and carton was coated with bituminous composition and the lower half with oxy-chloride cement, and the label read "43" for "42" and "55/43" for "541/42". A steel flanged hollow frustrum, weighing 8 oz. 5 dr. with a cardboard washer struck to the upper side of the flange, is fitted above the liner. It is secured between the shoulder in the shell body and the base of the cap.

Fig. 14