I'm wondering if the reason this grapeshot (if that is what it is) was made to be octogonal? Did it make it easier to pack and stack inside of a casing? Or was it the belief that a non-round projectile would inflict more damage as it tore through tissue. Not to be graphic, but there was a time when so-called 'pain-bullets' were created, using lead balls that were purposely scored to fragment open. Other lead shot rounds had nails hammered through them to inflict more damage. Just thinking aloud.
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