Confederate Adjutant General button	The Civil War Relicman, Harry Ridgeway
	Winchester, Virginia USA (changed hands 70 times in the Civil War!) I am a collector buying and selling authentic Civil War Relics
	This page updated   May 26, 2008

The Ridgeway Civil War reference archive 
Artillery shells, Dahlgren (Federal)

This is a sampling of relics collected by Harry Ridgeway over the years.  This archive record is for educational purposes only.  Some of the relics listed may be on display at the Old Court House Civil War Museum, Winchester Virginia, some are no longer owned by the author.  None of the items listed in this section are for sale, please refer to the separate sales catalog for items that are currently offered.

All artillery items listed  have been disarmed and rendered inert. 

A0113    Dahlgren "blind shell" shot, lead cup sabot, Navy boat howitzer, 3.4 in. 

Dahlgren "Blind shell", one casting pattern was used for either shell or shot, a small brass plug was used to close the top, often casting sand was left inside or the casing could be hollow but in any case did not bear an exploding charge. Twine was placed in the groove in the lead cup sabot to seal the firing charge, four ribs on the side followed the rifling of the gun. 
Lead sabot shows rifling, brass pin intact, good metal with light pitting. 
Recovered: Hilton Head Island, SC 
Diameter 3.38 inch, length 7.25 inch 
Ref: D & G pg. 385 

A1522     Dahlgren "blind shell" shot, lead cup sabot, Navy boat howitzer 3.4 inch 

Dahlgren "Blind shell", one casting pattern was used for either shell or shot, a small brass plug was used to close the top, often casting sand was left inside or the casing could be hollow but in any case did not bear an exploding charge. Twine was placed in the groove in the lead cup sabot to seal the firing charge, four ribs on the side followed the rifling of the gun. Lead sabot missing, brass pin intact, superb metal, early pickup 
Recovered: not known 
Diameter 3.38 inch, length 7.25 inch (sabot missing) 
Ref: Dickey & George pg. 385  

A2107 Dahlgren "blind shell" shot, lead cup sabot, 
Navy boat howitzer, 3.4 in.
Dahlgren "Blind shell", one casting pattern was used for either shell or shot, 
a small brass plug was used to close the top, often casting sand was left 
inside or the casing could be hollow but in any case did not bear an 
exploding charge.  Twine was placed in the groove in the lead cup sabot to 
seal the firing charge, four ribs on the side followed the rifling of the gun.
Lead sabot missing, brass pin intact, metal smooth, minor pitting only.
Recovered: Fort Fisher, by Mac Mason 1951, shell bears artwork by the 
renowned digger describing the discovery.
Diameter 3.38 in., length 7.25 in. (sabot missing)
Ref: D & G pg. 385

A0911     Dahlgren USA 3.4 inch boat howitzer fired sabot! 

This is fired sabot that separated from its shell. Has 4 raised ribs which can be seen inside the sabot, as well as shape of the base cup, and exterior rifling.
Diameter 3.4 inch,
Reference: Dickey & George pg. 386 

A0114    Dahlgren shell, lead cup sabot, threaded for fuse, Navy boat howitzer, 3.4 in. 
 
Dahlgren shell, twine was placed in the groove in the lead cup sabot to seal the firing charge, four ribs on the side followed the rifling of the gun. Threaded for fuse but none have been recovered with a fuse. 
Unfired sabot intact, no fuse, solid metal, light pitting. 
Recovered: surplus stocks 
Diameter 3.4 inch, length 7.25 inch 
Ref: D & G pg. 386 

A0115    Dahlgren shell, lead cup sabot, threaded for fuse, Dahlgren 20 pounder rifle, 4 in. 

Dahlgren shell, twine was placed in the groove in the lead cup sabot to seal the firing charge, four ribs on the side followed the rifling of the gun. Threaded for fuse but none have been recovered with a fuse. 
Unfired sabot intact, no fuse, rope twine intact, nondug 
Recovered: surplus stocks 
Diameter 3.94 inch, length 8.63 inch 
Ref: D & G pg. 387, actual example photographed 
Ref: Bell Heavy Ord, pg. 210, actual example photographed