Editing Shell (projectile) (section)

====Common====
[[File:BL9.2inchCommonShellMkV.jpg|thumb|upright|BL 9.2 in common shell Mk&nbsp;V]]
[[Glossary of British ordnance terms#Common shell|Common shells]] designated in the early (i.e. 1800s) British explosive shells were filled with "low explosives" such as "P&nbsp;mixture" (gunpowder) and usually with a fuze in the nose. Common shells on bursting (non-detonating) tended to break into relatively large fragments which continued along the shell's trajectory rather than laterally. They had some incendiary effect.

In the late 19th century "double common shells" were developed, lengthened so as to approach twice the standard shell weight, to carry more powder and hence increase explosive effect. They suffered from instability in flight and low velocity and were not widely used.

In 1914, common shells with a diameter of 6-inches and larger were of cast steel, while smaller diameter shells were of forged steel for service and cast iron for practice.{{sfnp|Treatise on Ammunition|1915|pages= 158, 159, 198 }} They were replaced by "common lyddite" shells in the late 1890s but some stocks remained as late as 1914. In British service common shells were typically painted black with a red band behind the nose to indicate the shell was filled.