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   June 05, 2008

The Ridgeway Civil War Archive 
Artillery shells, Parrott 2.9 in and 3.0 in
(10 pounder and 3 inch Ordnance)

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.

Parrott 2.9 inch (shell is 2.85 in) was intended for the Parrott Rifle, and is generally referred to as "10 pounder". 
Parrott 3.0 inch (shell is 2.95 in) was intended for the 3 inch Ordnance Rifle. 

All items listed are believed to be authentic to the Civil War or as otherwise described.   

All artillery items listed  have been disarmed and rendered inert. 

A2206     Parrott 10 pounder (2.9 in.), three base sections, sabot types I, II, and III 
Parrott 10 pounder base fragments, examples of each of the sabot types, each showing 3 lands and grooves as fired from the Parrott 2.9 in rifle:  
Type I, wrought iron sabot was cast thick and was too stiff to take the rifling, so it was pre-cast with 3 lands & grooves to fit the rifling more easily.
Type II high band sabot, nearly always would fly off of the shell, (almost did in this case), which was a huge problem for forward infantry, so use in 10 pounder is rare.  This is 2.9 in, size and not the later 3 in.  
Type III, low band brass sabot, the brass was still thick but was more flexible and would take the rifling much more easily, however the limited number of 
grooves (three) would cause the sabot to wrench and grab excessively.  
The problem of sabots was never really solved until after the war when the breech loader was developed allowing tighter fit and the number of rifling grooves was increased significantly so that the load of the rifling would be better distributed around the circumference of the shell.  
Recovered: north Georgia campaign  
Parrott 10 pounder, base fragments showing three types of sabots                To Do Post to Archive

Parrott 2.9 inch, flat top bolt, "Read Parrott" wrought iron sabot (Type I):    

A1861    Parrott flat top bolt "Read / Parrott" wrought iron sabot, Parrott 10 pounder rifle, 2.9 in. 

The idea of a tapered ring iron sabot was developed jointly by Read and Parrott, this Federal version is thick. A bolt this small was primarily used against opposing cannon, its use was limited. Sabot is pre-rifled with three flanges. 
Sabot intact, metal excellent minor pitting only, relatively rare shell, casting shows several flaws! 
Recovered Vicksburg, Miss 
Diameter 2.85 inch, length 6.6 inch 
Ref: D & G pg. 215 

A2195     Parrott flat top bolt "Read / Parrott" wrought iron sabot, Parrott 10 pounder rifle, 2.9 in.  
The idea of a tapered ring iron sabot was developed jointly by Read and Parrott, this Federal version is thick.  A bolt this small was primarily used against opposing cannon, its use was limited.  Sabot is pre-rifled with three flanges.  
Sabot intact, metal excellent minor pitting only, relatively rare shell, casting shows several flaws!  
Recovered nondug surplus stocks  
Diameter 2.85 in.,  length 6.6 in.  
Ref: D & G pg. 215               To Do Post to Archive

Parrott 2.9 inch, shell , "Read Parrott" wrought iron sabot (Type I):    

A1493      Parrott shell, "Read / Parrott" wrought iron sabot, wood time fuse, Parrott 10 pounder rifle, 2.9 in. 

Called "Read Parrott" because it utilized the wrought iron sabot developed before the war jointly by Read and Parrott, the sabot was pre-rifled with three flanges, because it was too heavy to take the rifling otherwise. Some early versions were equipped with a wood fuse.
Wood fuse missing, sabot with three pre-rifled flanges intact, outstanding metal.
Recovered: central Virginia
Diameter 2.85 in., length 8.5 in.
Ref: D & G pg. 216 (wood time fuse) 

A1571     Parrott "case shot" shell, wrought iron sabot, Parrott time fuse, Parrott 10 pounder rifle, 2.9 in. 
  Called "Read Parrott" because it utilized the wrought iron sabot developed before the war jointly by Read and Parrott, the sabot was pre-rifled with three flanges, because it was too heavy to take the rifling otherwise.  If equipped with a time fuse, the round will usually be a "case shot" , intended to go against troops in open field formation, the shell will generally be filled with balls.
Parrott zinc time fuse, pattern with rounded flange. The lip was a late war innovation to prevent gas leaks around the fuse causing premature detonations. The nose of this early designed shell was milled flat to accommodate this fuse. (Jones pg. 77 upper left)
Zinc percussion fuse intact with original cork washer, fuse is removable, sabot with three pre-rifled flanges intact, outstanding metal. 
Recovered: nondug stocks, probably Bannerman.
Diameter 2.85 in., length 8.5 in. (excluding fuse), weight 10 lbs.
Ref: D & G pg. 216  (Zinc time fuse, milled nose, "case shot" shell) 

A1572    Parrott shell, "Read / Parrott" wrought iron sabot, Parrott time fuse, Parrott 10 pounder rifle, 2.9 in. 

Called "Read Parrott" because it utilized the wrought iron sabot developed before the war jointly by Read and Parrott, the sabot was pre-rifled with three flanges, because it was too heavy to take the rifling otherwise. If equipped with a time fuse, the round will usually be a "case shot" , intended to go against troops in open field formation, the shell will generally be filled with balls. Parrott zinc time fuse, early pattern no flanges. The lip of the fuse hole is sharp. (Jones pg. 76) 
Zinc time fuse is partial, sabot with three pre-rifled flanges intact, outstanding metal. Shell weighs 9 pounds, is full of case shot balls. 
Recovered: Vicksburg campaign 
Diameter 2.85 inch, length 8.5 inch 
Ref: D & G pg. 216 (Zinc time fuse, "case shot" shell) 

A2250     Parrott "case shot" shell, wrought iron sabot, Parrott time fuse, Parrott 10 pounder rifle, 2.9 in. 
Called "Read Parrott" because it utilized the wrought iron sabot developed before the war jointly by Read and Parrott, the sabot was pre-rifled with three flanges, because it was too heavy to take the rifling otherwise.  If equipped with a time fuse, the round will usually be a "case shot" , intended to go against troops in open field formation, the shell will generally be filled with balls.  
Parrott zinc time fuse, early pattern no flanges.  The lip of the fuse hole is sharp. (Jones pg. 76)  
Zinc time fuse is partial, sabot with three pre-rifled flanges intact,   
outstanding metal.  Shell weighs 10 pounds, is full of case shot balls.  
Recovered: Richmond, Petersburg, Virginia 1865 campaign.  
Diameter 2.85 in., length 8.5 in., weight 10 lbs.  
Ref: D & G pg. 216  (Zinc time fuse, "case shot" shell)         To Do Post to Archive    use best pic A2250 or A1572

A1866    Parrott shell "Read / Parrott" wrought iron sabot, Schenkl percussion fuse, Parrott 10 pounder rifle, 2.9 in. 

Called "Read Parrott" because it utilized the wrought iron sabot developed before the war jointly by Read and Parrott, the sabot was pre-rifled with three flanges, because it was too heavy to take the rifling otherwise. If equipped with a percussion fuse, the round will usually be a "common" or standard round, intended to go against opposing cannon by striking them, the shell will not be filled with balls. This one is equipped with a Schenkl percussion fuse, this fuse rarely used for this shell, (Jones pg. 98) 
Schenkl fuse intact but not set for firing, sabot with three pre-rifled flanges intact, strong metal, light pitting, shell weighs 9 pounds, could be either case shot or common. 
Recovered: not known 
Diameter 2.85 inch, length 8.5 inch 
Ref: D & G pg. 216 (Schenkl percussion fuse) 

A2168     Parrott shell, "Read / Parrott" wrought iron sabot, Bormann time fuse, Parrott 10 pounder rifle, 2.9 in. 
Called "Read Parrott" because it utilized the wrought iron sabot developed before the war jointly by Read and Parrott, the sabot was pre-rifled with three flanges, because it was too heavy to take the rifling otherwise.  This Bormann fused shell is likely to be case shot.  
Federal Bormann time fuse. (Jones pg. 22)  
Time fuse is intact, sabot intact, metal may be weak, but stable, some areas have been touched up, this is a rare pattern.  
Recovered: not known  
Diameter 2.85 in., length 8.5 in., weight 10 lbs.  
Ref: D & G pg. 217  (Bormann time fuse, case shot)             To Do Post to Archive

Parrott 2.9 inch, shell , high band brass sabot (Type II):    

A2192     Parrott shell, Type II High band brass sabot, Parrott 10 pounder rifle, 2.9 in.   
The second development of the sabot, type II, was introduction of this rabbeted brass band.  It performed poorly and was quickly abandoned.  This is the early 2.9 inch pattern, (most are 3 inch).  Parrott zinc percussion fuse, "improved" one piece design. (Jones pg. 81)  
Fired sabot intact, 3 lands and grooves are faint, fuse intact.  
Recovered: Kennesaw Mountain GA  
Diameter 2.85 in., length 8.5 in., weight 9 lbs.  
Ref: D & G pg. 225 (2.9 inch)               To Do Post to Archive

A2122 Parrott shell, Type II High band brass sabot, 
Parrott 10 pounder rifle, 2.9 in.
The second development of the sabot, type II, was introduction of this 
rabbeted brass band.  It performed poorly and was quickly abandoned.  
Marked "B" on base meaning not known.
Parrott zinc percussion fuse, "improved" one piece design. (Jones pg. 81)  
Unfired sabot intact, fuse missing, threads good, metal solid, minor pitting, 
Recovered: de-commissioned from government surplus stocks.
Diameter 2.85 in., length 8.5 in.
Ref: D & G pg. 225 (2.9 inch) 

Parrott 2.9 inch, shell , low band brass sabot (Type III):    

A1578    Parrott shell, Type III brass ring sabot, Parrott percussion fuse, Parrott 10 pounder rifle, 2.9 in. 

The third development of the sabot, type III, was introduction of this narrow brass ring, softer than wrought iron and thinner than the high band, this took the rifling nicely. If equipped with a percussion fuse, the round will usually be a "common" or standard round, intended to go against opposing cannon by striking them, the shell will not be filled with balls. Parrott zinc two part percussion fuse, "West Point" style, (Jones pg. 79) 
Fuse fully intact, sabot is unfired, metal is solid, moderate pitting. Shell weighs 8 pounds, does not contain balls. 
Recovered: not known 
Diameter 2.86 inch, length 8.5 inch 
Ref: D & G pg. 226 (zinc percussion fuse, "common" shell) 

A1579    Parrott shell, Type III brass ring sabot, Parrott percussion fuse, Parrott 10 pounder rifle, 2.9 in. 
 
The third development of the sabot, type III, was introduction of this narrow brass ring, softer than wrought iron and thinner than the high band, this took the rifling nicely. If equipped with a percussion fuse, the round will usually be a "common" or standard round, intended to go against opposing cannon by striking them, the shell will not be filled with balls. Parrott zinc one part percussion fuse, "improved" design, this is variant with the rounded flange, (Jones pg. 82) 
Fuse intact, sabot is unfired, metal is solid, moderate pitting. Shell weighs 8 pounds, does not contain balls. 
Recovered: not known 
Diameter 2.86 inch, length 8.5 inch 
Ref: D & G pg. 226 (zinc percussion fuse, "common" shell) 

A1863    Parrott shell, Type III brass ring sabot, Parrott percussion fuse, Parrott 10 pounder rifle, 2.9 in. 
 
The third development of the sabot, type III, was introduction of this narrow brass ring, softer than wrought iron and thinner than the high band, this took the rifling nicely. If equipped with a percussion fuse, the round will usually be a "common" or standard round, intended to go against opposing cannon by striking them, the shell will not be filled with balls. Parrott zinc one part percussion fuse, "improved" design, (Jones pg. 81) 
Zinc percussion fuse intact, damaged from impact, fired sabot shows three lands and grooves, metal is outstanding. Shell weighs 9 pounds, may contain balls. 
Recovered: North Carolina defenses, Sugar Loaf Island 
Diameter 2.86 inch, length 8.5 inch 
Ref: D & G pg. 226 (zinc percussion fuse, "common" shell) 

A2251     Parrott shell, Type III brass ring sabot, Parrott percussion fuse,  Parrott 10 pounder rifle, 2.9 in. 
The third development of the sabot, type III, was introduction of this narrow brass ring, softer than wrought iron and thinner than the high band, this took the rifling nicely.  If equipped with a percussion fuse, the round will usually be a "common" or standard round, intended to go against opposing cannon by striking them, the shell will not be filled with balls.  
Parrott zinc one part percussion fuse, "improved" design, this is variant with the rounded flange. (Jones pg. 82)   
Fuse is partial exposing the internal slider and nipple, sabot shows distortion  from firing, 3 lands & grooves, metal is smooth, minor pitting only.  
Recovered: Richmond, Petersburg, Virginia 1865 campaign.  
Diameter 2.86 in., length 8.5 in., weight 9 lbs.  
Ref: D & G pg. 226 (zinc percussion fuse, "common" shell)          To Do Post to Archive   

A1864    Parrott shell, Type III brass ring sabot, Parrott time fuse, Parrott 10 pounder rifle, 2.9 in. 
 
The third development of the sabot, type III, was introduction of this narrow brass ring, softer than wrought iron and thinner than the high band, this took the rifling nicely. If equipped with a time fuse, the round will usually be a "case shot" , intended to go against troops in open field formation, the shell will generally be filled with balls. Parrott zinc time fuse, pattern with rounded flange. The lip was a late war innovation to prevent gas leaks around the fuse causing premature detonations. The nose of this shell was milled flat to accommodate this fuse. (Jones pg. 77 upper left)
Zinc time fuse intact and is removable, unfired sabot intact, metal is outstanding. Shell weighs 9 pounds, contains case shot balls which are loose inside 
Recovered: surplus stocks, probably Bannerman 
Diameter 2.86 inch, length 8.5 inch 
Ref: D & G pg. 226 (zinc time fuse, "case shot" shell) 

A2193     Parrott shell, Type III brass ring sabot, Parrott time fuse, Parrott 10 pounder rifle, 2.9 in.    
The third development of the sabot, type III, was introduction of this narrow brass ring, softer than wrought iron and thinner than the high band, this took the rifling nicely.  If equipped with a time fuse, the round will usually be a "case shot" , intended to go against troops in open field formation, the shell will generally be filled with balls.  Parrott zinc time fuse, pattern with rounded flange. The lip was a late war innovation to prevent gas leaks around the fuse causing premature detonations. The nose of this shell was milled flat to accommodate this fuse. (Jones pg. 77 upper left)  
Fired sabot intact shows some distortion from firing but did not fully take the rifling, zinc time fuse is partial, metal smooth with minor pitting only.  
Recovered: Kennesaw, Georgia  
Diameter 2.86 in., length 8.25 in. (excluding fuse), weight 10 lbs. (case shot)
Ref: D & G pg. 226 (zinc time fuse, "case shot" shell)              To Do Post to Archive

Parrott 3 inch, shell , high band brass sabot (Type II):      

A2189     Parrott shell, Type II High band brass sabot, Parrott 10 pounder rifle, 3 in. 

The second development of the sabot, type II, was introduction of this rabbeted brass band.  It performed poorly and was quickly abandoned.  
Marked "3" on base to distinguish this 3 inch shell from the 2.9 inch pattern.
Parrott zinc percussion fuse, "improved" one piece design. (Jones pg. 81)  
Unfired sabot intact, fuse missing, threads good, metal solid, minor pitting, 
Recovered: de-commissioned from government surplus stocks.
Diameter 2.94 in., length 8.5 in.
Ref: D & G pg. 225 (3 inch)         

A2191     Parrott shell, Type II High band brass sabot, Parrott 10 pounder rifle, 3 in.    
The second development of the sabot, type II, was introduction of this rabbeted brass band.  It performed poorly and was quickly abandoned.  Marked "3" on base to distinguish this 3 inch shell from the 2.9 inch pattern.  Parrott zinc percussion fuse, "improved" one piece design. (Jones pg. 81)  
Unfired sabot intact, fuse missing, threads good, metal solid, minor pitting, 
Recovered: de-commissioned from government surplus stocks.  
Diameter 2.94 in., length 8.5 in.  
Ref: D & G pg. 225 (3 inch)               To Do Post to Archive

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