The present invention relates to a stretcher (200) formed to contain a shell (100) gripping device (1) and a shell (100). The device (1) has two pairs of jaws (5) to maintain the shell (100). Each jaw (5) pivots between an open location and a closed location around a pivot axis (6) in parallel with an axis in the longitudinal direction of the shell (100). The pivot axis (6) of each jaw is located between a lower end portion and an upper end portion of the jaw (5). The upper end portion of each jaw (5) closes the jaw (5) by making the upper end portion come in contact with the shell (100) to be gripped. The upper end portion of each jaw (5) has a notch engaged to a lug of a cam. The gripping device has a stop (8) for enabling the cam (9) to limit opening stroke of the jaw (5).
