Ridgeway Civil War Research Center, A virtual examination of artifacts of the American Civil War
	Civil War Artillery
	by Harry Ridgeway

Research Center: Artillery1221-Ball12pdr

Smoothbore artillery projectile, spherical ball, bursting shell, "common" (standard), Federal Bormann time fuze with wrench double slot and "US", smoothbore 12 pounder, 4.62in. Projectile was intended for the smoothbore 12 pounder "Napoleon" using the Bormann time fuze designed to detonate in the air above the target, spreading fragments against troops in the open field, solid shot was generally used against opposing cannon, but one could be substituted for the other as needed. Originally the ball used a wood cup sabot attached to the ball with straps, on firing the straps would break releasing the ball. Some of these shells were configured as case shot (approx 9 to 11lbs. with balls), or as "common" (approx 6 to 8lbs. without balls). This ball is "common" or standard round, explosive charge only without balls. Fuze employed was a Federal Bormann time fuze, 3/4 second starting time, double slot, "US" on the fuze may indicate Washington arsenal, Jones pg. 23 upper right. Projectile measures: diameter 4.52in., weight 6 to 8lbs. Research Center: Artillery1221-Ball12pdr, Ref: Dickey & George, Field Artillery (1993 Edition), pg. 35. Details click: http://relicman.com/artillery/Artillery1221-Ball12pdr.html.

A0681.2...Smoothbore artillery projectile, spherical ball, bursting shell, "common" (standard), Federal Bormann time fuze with wrench double slot, smoothbore 12 pounder, 4.62in. Projectile was intended for the smoothbore 12 pounder "Napoleon" using the Bormann time fuze designed to detonate in the air above the target, spreading fragments against troops in the open field, solid shot was generally used against opposing cannon, but one could be substituted for the other as needed. Originally the ball used a wood cup sabot attached to the ball with straps, on firing the straps would break releasing the ball. Some of these shells were configured as case shot (approx 9 to 11lbs. with balls), or as "common" (approx 6 to 8lbs. without balls). This ball is "common" or standard round, explosive charge only without balls. Fuze employed was a Federal Bormann time fuze, 3/4 second starting time, double slot, "US" on the fuze may indicate Washington arsenal, Jones pg. 23 upper right. Projectile measures: diameter 4.52in., weight 8.4lbs. Bormann fuze is punched and burned. Projectile is disarmed, drill hole through the bottom. Recovered: Baker House, Third Battle of Winchester, by Ray Morrison. The Baker house was a well known landmark because it had a cannon ball lodged in the side of the building that was visible to passerbys. The house was demolished in the 1970's, several cannon balls were recovered from the site. Ref: Dickey & George, Field Artillery (1993 Edition), pg. 35. Old Court House Civil War Museum, Winchester, Virginia

A2485...Smoothbore artillery projectile, spherical ball, bursting shell, "common" (standard), Federal Bormann time fuze with wrench double slot and "US", smoothbore 12 pounder, 4.62in. Projectile was intended for the smoothbore 12 pounder "Napoleon" using the Bormann time fuze designed to detonate in the air above the target, spreading fragments against troops in the open field, solid shot was generally used against opposing cannon, but one could be substituted for the other as needed. Originally the ball used a wood cup sabot attached to the ball with straps, on firing the straps would break releasing the ball. Some of these shells were configured as case shot (approx 9 to 11lbs. with balls), or as "common" (approx 6 to 8lbs. without balls). This ball is "common" or standard round, explosive charge only without balls. Fuze employed was a Federal Bormann time fuze, 3/4 second starting time, double slot, "US" on the fuze may indicate Washington arsenal, Jones pg. 23 upper right. Projectile measures: diameter 4.52in., weight 8lbs. Bormann fuze intact, punched and burned, US mark is readable. Projectile is disarmed, drill hole through the bottom. Recovered: North Anna River, Virginia. Ref: Dickey & George, Field Artillery (1993 Edition), pg. 35.

A2432...Smoothbore artillery projectile, spherical ball, bursting shell, "common" (standard), Federal Bormann time fuze with wrench double slot and "US", smoothbore 12 pounder, 4.62in. Projectile was intended for the smoothbore 12 pounder "Napoleon" using the Bormann time fuze designed to detonate in the air above the target, spreading fragments against troops in the open field, solid shot was generally used against opposing cannon, but one could be substituted for the other as needed. Originally the ball used a wood cup sabot attached to the ball with straps, on firing the straps would break releasing the ball. Some of these shells were configured as case shot (approx 9 to 11lbs. with balls), or as "common" (approx 6 to 8lbs. without balls). This ball is "common" or standard round, explosive charge only without balls. Fuze employed was a Federal Bormann time fuze, 3/4 second starting time, double slot, "US" on the fuze may indicate Washington arsenal, Jones pg. 23 upper right. Projectile measures: diameter 4.52in., weight 7lbs. Bormann fuze intact, punched and burned, US mark is weak but definite. Projectile is disarmed, drill hole through the bottom. Recovered: not known. Ref: Dickey & George, Field Artillery (1993 Edition), pg. 35.

A2772...Smoothbore artillery projectile, spherical ball, bursting shell, "common" (standard), Federal Bormann time fuze with wrench double slot and "US", smoothbore 12 pounder, 4.62in. Projectile was intended for the smoothbore 12 pounder "Napoleon" using the Bormann time fuze designed to detonate in the air above the target, spreading fragments against troops in the open field, solid shot was generally used against opposing cannon, but one could be substituted for the other as needed. Originally the ball used a wood cup sabot attached to the ball with straps, on firing the straps would break releasing the ball. Some of these shells were configured as case shot (approx 9 to 11lbs. with balls), or as "common" (approx 6 to 8lbs. without balls). This ball is "common" or standard round, explosive charge only without balls. Fuze employed was a Federal Bormann time fuze, 3/4 second starting time, double slot, "US" on the fuze may indicate Washington arsenal, Jones pg. 23 upper right. Projectile measures: diameter 4.52in., weight 8lbs. Bormann fuze intact, un-punched, numbers and US mark are crisp. Projectile is disarmed, drill hole through the bottom. Recovered: not known. Ref: Dickey & George, Field Artillery (1993 Edition), pg. 35.

This is the "Ridgeway Civil War Research Center", a research tool for educational purposes only, and is provided at no cost to the reader. Some of the relics listed are retained in the author's collection, most reside in other collections and are not owned by the author. None of the items listed in this section are for sale, please refer to relicman.com sales listings for items offered for sale. This is a work in progress, I list items as I get to them, there are many patterns that are not listed yet, this list will be regularly updated as I get pictures and descriptions for more items. I will also correct mistakes, so if you see any please tell me. All items listed are believed to be authentic to the Civil War or as otherwise described. This information is available for research purposes, pictures may be used by permission only.
All excavated artifacts have been recovered from private property with owner's permission.
All projectiles listed have been disarmed.

Most information on this page is from:
Field Artillery Projectiles of the American Civil War, 1993 Edition. by Thomas S. Dickey and Peter C. George.
Civil War Heavy Explosive Ordnance, A Guide to Large Artillery Prjectiles, Torpedoes, and Mines, by Jack Bell.
Artillery Fuses of the Civil War, by Charles H. Jones.
Pictures are by the author, unless otherwise indicated.

Ridgeway Civil War Research Center, A virtual examination of artifacts of the American Civil War. Artillery Research center, artillery, click: http://relicman.com/artillery/Artillery0000-Index.html. Research center, artillery, click: http://relicman.com/artillery/Artillery0000-Index.html.

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