what are these?
 

I was going through my stuff pile today and came across this box in a stack of old pre war Peters 12 gauge shells. I have never seen shells in this shot size or a box marked in this manner. What do you shell collectors have to say about this box?

Thanks
Patrick

Can't wait to hear what New Castle Shot is.

I am guessing they were for a British market, maybe "new castle" is the shot brand or its NEW castle as in improved

"British shot sizes are usually given as a number although some of the larger shot used in wildfowling is "lettered" such as AAA and BB. The sizes and number of pellets per ounce used in the UK are given below, the smaller the number the larger the shot. The exceptions to this rule are for the lettered shot sizes which are reserved for the larger shot :- "

SHOT DIAMETER (INCHES) PELLETS PER OUNCE
SIZE
AAA ............0.20"................................. ..35


http://www.kwacs.org.uk/barrels&choke.htm

very interesting box and markings... charlie

Newcastle Shot Sizes
 

Patrick, I believe the reference to New Castle Shot Size AAA is a reference to the Abbey Improved Chilled Shot Co. at Newcastle-on-Tyne size AAA ( roughly the same diameter as the current "dreaded steel" T size shot). Apparently there was no standardization on shot size diameter terminology even within GB itself, at the time. Instead it appears that each shot size designation varied by manufacturer. Re: Greener: The Gun and Its Development page 612. Walker, Parker, Limited, London size BB = 58 pellets/oz. vs. Newcastle, BB size= 84pellets/oz. HTH, Fred.

AAA is common in Canada.

AAA is the exact diameter of a T shot. In lead shot, it is in between a BB and a #4 buck, but not exactly equivalent to any US lead shot size. The BB is .018, the AAA is .020, and the #4 buck is .024. The AAA in lead would be my dream shot size in the eight gauge 2 1/2 ounce load.