Bomb

Bomb, in Artillery a spherical iron shell, which, being filled with gunpowder and fitted with a time-fuse, was fired from a gun or mortar, and exploded after the lapse of a given period. The name bomb is now obsolete, and the modern equivalent for the bomb is simply called a shell. Spherical bombs, such as were used up to about 1860, were of many sizes, but the following particulars concerning some of the more commonly used varieties will give some idea of the force of any such missiles: -

Diameter of Bomb in inches; Weight of Bomb in lbs.; Usual bursting charge.

13; 195; 7 lb., 8 oz.
10; 89; 3 lb., 4 oz.
8; 46; 2 lb., 0 oz.

Small bombs, which might be thrown by hand. were called grenades.