Low Tech cannons mortars and shells

[Polydamas]

Originally Posted by Rupert

The definitions of 'mortar', 'cannon', 'gun', 'howitzer', and their hybrids are fairly arbitrary and differ from one country to another, and have differed over time as well. For TL3-5 using 'mortar' to mean 'an artillery piece that fires on a high arc, allowing indirect fire' and 'cannon' or 'gun' to refer to everything that doesn't do this is generally going to be fine if you're not trying to distinguish further.

Its also generally harder to research early incendiary and low-explosive projectiles than solid shot. You can't just take shot mass, bore diameter, estimate muzzle velocity and call it good, and the tests are more dangerous.

GURPS Low Tech: Medieval China could be a fun supplement.

[Anthony]

Originally Posted by Polydamas

Its also generally harder to research early incendiary and low-explosive projectiles than solid shot. You can't just take shot mass, bore diameter, estimate muzzle velocity and call it good, and the tests are more dangerous.

You also have the problem that they don't leave very good artifacts for later archeologists. A shell that exploded isn't going to tell you much. A shell that failed to explode as designed might still explode later, or someone might remove it because it's a hazard. If none of those happens... plants think gunpowder is fertilizer, and an iron shell case isn't exactly the most weatherproof of components either.

[RGTraynor]

Originally Posted by Polydamas

GURPS Low Tech: Medieval China could be a fun supplement.

Agreed. It'd be eyepopping. Really, world history would be a whole lot different if the Song Dynasty was into aggressive conquest.