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Different types of cannon balls recovered from the Vasa, sunk in 1628

In artillery, chain-shot is an obsolete type of naval ammunition formed of two sub-calibre balls, or half-balls, chained together. Bar shot is similar, but joined by a solid bar. They were used in naval warfare in the age of sailing ships and black powder cannons to shoot down yards, masts, or to cut the shrouds and any other rigging of a target ship.^[1] Chain shot was invented around 1665.^[2]

When fired, after leaving the muzzle, the shot's components tumble in the air, and the connecting chain fully extends. In past use, as much as six feet of chain would sweep through the target. However, the tumbling made both bar and chain shot less accurate, so they were used at shorter ranges. ^[3]

Chain shot was normally not used as an anti-personnel load; this role was fulfilled at lower cost and more effectively by cannister shot or grape shot.

The military usefulness of chain shot died out as wooden sail-powered ships were replaced with armored propeller-driven ships — first among navies, and then among commercial fleets. Additionally, the conversion of naval armament from smoothbore, muzzle loaded, black powder cannons to rifled breech loaded guns further slowed the production of new chain shot ammunition; the chain would damage barrels (degrading maximum range, and further degrading effective range by degrading accuracy), and the new breech loading guns and their ammunition were meant to be effective against armored vessels as well as wooden sailing vessels.

In modern times, the effect is replicated in shotguns with the use of Bolo Shells — a pair of slugs connected by a strong wire.^[4] They are banned in several jurisdictions, including Florida^[5] and Illinois^[6].

1. ^ This article incorporates content from the 1728 Cyclopaedia, a publication in the public domain.
2. ^ "Chain-shot". Probert Encyclopaedia. URL accessed 2006-06-02.
3. ^ "Pirate Tech". Modern Marvels. 2006-07-09.
4. ^ http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0BQY/is_9_50/ai_n6125526
5. ^ http://www.leg.state.fl.us/Statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=Ch0790/ch0790.htm
6. ^ http://ilga.gov/legislation/publicacts/pubact92/acts/92-0423.html

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