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Of historical interest only. Unless someone tries to pattern cube shot in a muzzle loader to measure the spread vs. round shot.
According to Field and Stream, the first guns designed only to fire shot instead of ball, were for close combat. They had rectangular bores and fired iron shot shaped like dice. Because that provides maximum spread in the pattern.
These were portable, but weighed about 30 pounds, with a hook on the bottom to rest the heavy gun on the ship's rail. Some were found on the wreck of the Mary Rose (KIng Henry VIII era).
According to Field and Stream, the first guns designed only to fire shot instead of ball, were for close combat. They had rectangular bores and fired iron shot shaped like dice. Because that provides maximum spread in the pattern.
These were portable, but weighed about 30 pounds, with a hook on the bottom to rest the heavy gun on the ship's rail. Some were found on the wreck of the Mary Rose (KIng Henry VIII era).
