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British Army officer (1761-1842) whose name has entered the English language as the inventor of the shrapnel shell. Scarce ALS signed “H. Shrapnel,” one page, 7.5 x 9.25, November 16, 1806. Addressed from “Blackheath,” a handwritten letter to “Major James,” in full: “As I am apprehensive the French have provided themselves with Spherical Case Shot, and that their success is entirely owing to it; – could you be so good to suggest to Lord Hutchinson that it would be a matter of infinite importance to ascertain this point; as I could send 100 thousand rounds weekly to Russia from the Carron Foundry.” In fine condition. Accompanied by the original unfolded mailing envelope, addressed in Shrapnel’s hand and bearing remnants of the original red wax seal.
It took until 1803, the same year that Shrapnel was promoted to major, for the British artillery to adopt the shrapnel shell (as ‘spherical case’); its first recorded use by the British was in 1804 against the Dutch at Fort Nieuw-Amsterdam in Suriname. Written amidst the Napoleonic Wars, this letter from Major Shrapnel, then assistant inspector of artillery at the Woolwich Arsenal, expresses concern that recent French battlefield successes—particularly against Russian and Austrian forces, such as at Austerlitz in 1805—may have been due to their use of ‘spherical case shot,’ his invention, the shrapnel shell. His offer to supply vast quantities of ammunition to Russia reflects the renewed alliance against Napoleon’s France.
From the personal collection of a lifelong collector, teacher, and traveler with a passion for world history. His collecting years ranged from the 1970s to the present day, meaning that several of the premier pieces have not been on the market in decades.
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