Chemical and Lead Isotope characterisation of First World War shrapnel balls and bullets used on the Alpine Austrian–Italian Front

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dc.contributor.authorLaterza, Vittoriaen_ZA
dc.contributor.authorRos, Veronicaen_ZA
dc.contributor.authorTuretta, Claraen_ZA
dc.contributor.authorGabrieli, Jacopoen_ZA
dc.contributor.authorCairns, Warren R. L.en_ZA
dc.contributor.authorBalliana, Eleonoraen_ZA
dc.contributor.authorBaroni, Carloen_ZA
dc.contributor.authorCristina, Salvatore Mariaen_ZA
dc.contributor.authorBondesan, Aldinoen_ZA
dc.contributor.authorBarbante, Carloen_ZA
dc.date.accessioned2020-03-17T13:41:59Z
dc.date.available2020-03-17T13:41:59Z
dc.date.issued2018
dc.descriptionCITATION: Laterza, V., et al. 2018. Chemical and Lead Isotope characterisation of First World War shrapnel balls and bullets used on the Alpine Austrian–Italian Front. Scientia Militaria, South African Journal of Military Studies, 46(1):163-187, doi:10.5787/46-1-1230.
dc.descriptionThe original publication is available at http://scientiamilitaria.journals.ac.za
dc.description.abstractChemical and lead isotope characterisation was carried out on shrapnel balls and bullets dating back to the First World War (WWI). These ammunitions were widely utilised in the Alpine Austrian–Italian front located in the Italian Alps. The investigation has been performed using inductively coupled plasma quadrupole mass spectrometry equipped with an octopole reaction system (ORS-ICP-QMS). The main goal of this work was to identify the elemental and lead isotope composition of raw materials and to discriminate between the military objects analysed. The results of multi-elemental analysis indicate that the shrapnel ball samples consisted of soft Pb or hard Pb with Sb depending on the use, the weapon type and the specific nation. The Italian shrapnel balls were made from hard Pb, as opposed to those of the Austrian–Hungarian samples. Through the investigation of lead isotope ratios, it has been possible to differentiate most of the Italian shrapnel balls from those of Austrian–Hungarian origin. Furthermore, some Italian shrapnel balls had a different lead isotope composition depending on their calibre. The elemental composition and lead isotopic signature of bullets show a clear discrimination between the external jacket and the core in relation to projectile type and nationality. The bullet cores consist of Pb–Sb alloy regardless of the region of origin. This work allowed us to investigate the potential applications of trace elements and lead isotope analyses to discriminate military artefacts of different originsen_ZA
dc.description.urihttps://scientiamilitaria.journals.ac.za/pub/article/view/1230
dc.description.versionPublisher's version
dc.format.extent25 pages : illustrations
dc.identifier.citationLaterza, V., et al. 2018. Chemical and Lead Isotope characterisation of First World War shrapnel balls and bullets used on the Alpine Austrian–Italian Front. Scientia Militaria, South African Journal of Military Studies, 46(1):163-187, doi:10.5787/46-1-1230
dc.identifier.issn2224-0020 (online)
dc.identifier.issn1022-8136 (print)
dc.identifier.otherdoi:10.5787/46-1-1230
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/107633
dc.language.isoen_ZAen_ZA
dc.publisherStellenbosch University, Faculty of Military Science (Military Academy)
dc.rights.holderStellenbosch University, Faculty of Military Science (Military Academy)
dc.subjectLead -- Isotopes -- World War, 1914-1918en_ZA
dc.subjectBullets -- Identification -- World War, 1914-1918en_ZA
dc.subjectProjectiles -- Identification -- World War, 1914-1918en_ZA
dc.subjectWorld War, 1914-1918 -- Campaigns -- Austriaen_ZA
dc.subjectWorld War, 1914-1918 -- Campaigns -- Italyen_ZA
dc.titleChemical and Lead Isotope characterisation of First World War shrapnel balls and bullets used on the Alpine Austrian–Italian Fronten_ZA
dc.typeArticleen_ZA
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