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

Research Center: Artillery1234-Ball12pdr

Smoothbore artillery projectile, spherical ball, bursting shell, "common" (standard), Federal Bormann "Braille"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" (standard), explosive charge only without balls. Fuze employed was a Federal Bormann time fuze, 3/4 second starting time, double slot, "Braille" dots substituted for the numbers so the gunner could feel the gradations in poor visibility conditions, Jones pg. 24, middle. Projectile measures: diameter 4.52in., weight 6 to 8lbs. Research Center: Artillery1234-Ball12pdr, Ref: Dickey & George, Field Artillery (1993 Edition), pg. 35. Details click: http://relicman.com/artillery/Artillery1234-Ball12pdr.html.

A0012...Smoothbore artillery projectile, spherical ball, bursting shell, "common" (standard), Federal Bormann "Braille" 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" (standard), explosive charge only without balls. Fuze employed was a Federal Bormann time fuze, 3/4 second starting time, double slot, "Braille" dots substituted for the numbers so the gunner could feel the gradations in poor visibility conditions, Jones pg. 24, middle. Projectile measures: diameter 4.52in., weight 10.0lbs. Fuze is fully readable, metal is solid, case shot balls can be heard rolling around inside. Projectile is disarmed, drill hole through the bottom. Recovered: Confederate trench, Spotsylvania Virginia. by early digger Mac Mason in June 1975. Ref: McKee & Mason, pg. 129 lower right, this is the shell photographed. Ref: Dickey & George, Field Artillery (1993 Edition), pg. 35.

A1906...Smoothbore artillery projectile, spherical ball, bursting shell, "common" (standard), Federal Bormann "Braille"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" (standard), explosive charge only without balls. Fuze employed was a Federal Bormann time fuze, 3/4 second starting time, double slot, "Braille" dots substituted for the numbers so the gunner could feel the gradations in poor visibility conditions, Jones pg. 24, middle. Projectile measures: diameter 4.52in., weight 7lbs. Bormann fuze un- punched, numbers readable. Projectile is disarmed, drill hole through bottom, not photographed. Recovered: Augusta, Georgia. Ref: Dickey & George, Field Artillery (1993 Edition), pg. 35.

A2617...Smoothbore artillery projectile, spherical ball, bursting shell, "common" (standard), Federal Bormann "Braille" 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" (standard), explosive charge only without balls. Fuze employed was a Federal Bormann time fuze, 3/4 second starting time, double slot, "Braille" dots substituted for the numbers so the gunner could feel the gradations in poor visibility conditions, Jones pg. 24, middle. Projectile measures: diameter 4.52in., weight 7.7lbs. Metal solid, Bormann fuze intact, punched some numbers readable. Projectile is disarmed, drill hole through 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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