A virtual examination of artifacts of the American Civil War
by Harry Ridgeway
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Ridgeway Civil War Research Center, A virtual examination of artifacts of the American Civil War |
| Civil War Artillery | |
by Harry Ridgeway |
| Smoothbore artillery projectile, spherical ball, smoothbore 24 pounder, 5.82in. Research Center: Artillery1400-Ball24pdr    Details click: http://relicman.com/artillery/Artillery1400-Ball24pdr.html. |
| Smoothbore artillery projectile, spherical ball, solid shot, smoothbore 24 pounder, 5.82in. Projectile was intended for the 24 pounder smoothbore, which was uncommon, not a very practical weapon for field use because of its excessive weight, most were used as flanking guns in the forts or as Coehorn mortars. However the Confederates did use a 24 pounder field howitzer which would employ the solid 24 pounder ball. Originally the ball used a wood cup sabot attached to the ball with straps, on firing the straps would break releasing the ball. Projectile measures: diameter 5.72 in., weight 24lbs. Research Center: Artillery1411-Ball24pdr, Ref: Dickey & George, Field Artillery (1993 Edition), pg. 46. Details click: http://relicman.com/artillery/Artillery1411-Ball24pdr.html. |
| Smoothbore artillery projectile, spherical ball, bursting shell, "common" (standard), Federal Bormann time fuze with wrench double slot, smoothbore 24 pounder, 5.82in. Projectile was intended for the 24 pounder smoothbore, which was uncommon, not a very practical weapon for field use because of its excessive weight, most were used as flanking guns in the forts or as Coehorn mortars. Ball was equipped with the Bormann time fuze designed to detonate in the air above the target, spreading fragments against troops in the open field. 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 20 to 23lbs. with balls), or as "common" (approx 16 to 18lbs. without balls). This ball is "common" or standard round, explosive charge only without balls. Shell employed a Federal Bormann time fuze, 3/4 second starting time, double slot, (Jones pg. 23 upper right). Projectile measures: diameter 4.52in., weight 16 to 18lbs. Research Center: Artillery1421-Ball24pdr, Ref: Dickey & George, Field Artillery (1993 Edition), pg. 47.  Details click: http://relicman.com/artillery/Artillery1421-Ball24pdr.html. |
| Smoothbore artillery projectile, spherical ball, bursting shell, " case shot", Federal Bormann time fuze with wrench double slot, lead balls packed with sulfur matrix, iron under plug, smoothbore 24 pounder, 5.82in. Projectile was intended for the 24 pounder smoothbore, which was uncommon, not a very practical weapon for field use because of its excessive weight, most were used as flanking guns in the forts or as Coehorn mortars. Ball was equipped with the Bormann time fuze designed to detonate in the air above the target, spreading fragments against troops in the open field. 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 20 to 23lbs. with balls), or as "common" (approx 16 to 18lbs. without balls). This ball is "case shot", explosive charge with lead balls packed in yellow or sulfur matrix, with iron underplug. Shell employed a Federal Bormann time fuze, 3/4 second starting time, double slot, (Jones pg. 23). Projectile measures: diameter 5.7in., weight 20 to 23lbs. Research Center: Artillery1422-Ball24pdr, Ref: Dickey & George, Field Artillery (1993 Edition), pg. 47.   Details click: http://relicman.com/artillery/Artillery1422-Ball24pdr.html. |
| Smoothbore artillery projectile, spherical ball, bursting shell, "case shot", Federal Bormann time fuze with wrench single slot, smoothbore 24 pounder, 5.82in. Projectile was intended for the 24 pounder smoothbore, which was uncommon, not a very practical weapon for field use because of its excessive weight, most were used as flanking guns in the forts or as Coehorn mortars. Ball was equipped with the Bormann time fuze designed to detonate in the air above the target, spreading fragments against troops in the open field. 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 20 to 23lbs. with balls), or as "common" (approx 16 to 18lbs. without balls). This ball is "case shot", explosive charge with lead balls. Fuze employed was a Federal Bormann time fuze, 3/4 second starting time, single slot, Jones pg. 23. Projectile measures: diameter 4.52in., weight 20 to 23lbs. Research Center: Artillery1423-Ball24pdr, Ref: Dickey & George, Field Artillery (1993 Edition), pg. 47.  Details click: http://relicman.com/artillery/Artillery1423-Ball24pdr.html. |
| Smoothbore artillery projectile, spherical ball, bursting shell, "common" (standard), Confederate Bormann time fuze with wrench single slot, smoothbore 24 pounder, 5.82in. Projectile was intended for the 24 pounder smoothbore, which was uncommon, not a very practical weapon for field use because of its excessive weight, most were used as flanking guns in the forts or as Coehorn mortars. Ball was e quipped with the Bormann time fuze designed to detonate in the air above the target, spreading fragments against troops in the open field. 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 20 to 23lbs. with balls ), or as "common" (approx 16 to 18lbs. without balls). This ball is "common" (standard), explosive charge only without balls. Shell is equipped with a Confederate manufactured Bormann time fuze, .5 second starting notch, single wrench slot, threads omitted from the top of the fuze, theoretically enabling the fuze to be hand tightened, (Jones pg. 22 and 26) . Projectile measures: diameter 5.7in., weight 16 to 18lbs. Research Center: Artillery1424-Ball24pdr, Ref: Dickey & George, Field Artillery (1993 Edition), pg. 47.    Details click: http://relicman.com/artillery/Artillery1424-Ball24pdr.html. |
| Smoothbore artillery projectile, spherical ball, bursting shell, " case shot", Confederate Bormann time fuze with wrench single slot, smoothbore 24 pounder, 5.82in. Projectile was intended for the 24 pounder smoothbore , which was uncommon, not a very practical weapon for field use because of its excessive weight, most were used as flanking guns in the forts or as Coehorn mortars . Ball was equipped with the Bormann time fuze designed to detonate in the air above the target, spreading fragments against troops in the open field. 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 20 to 23lbs. with balls), or as "common" (approx 16 to 18lbs. without balls). This ball is "case shot", explosive charge with balls. Shell is equipped with a Confederate manufactured Bormann time fuze, .5 second starting notch, single wrench slot, threads omitted from the top of the fuze, theoretically enabling the fuze to be hand tightened, (Jones pg. 22 and 26). Projectile measures: diameter 5.7in., weight 20 to 23lbs. Research Center: Artillery1425-Ball24pdr, Ref: Dickey & George, Field Artillery (1993 Edition), pg. 47.    Details click: http://relicman.com/artillery/Artillery1425-Ball24pdr.html. |
| Smoothbore artillery projectile, spherical ball, bursting shell, "common" (standard), Bormann time fuze, underplug exposed, smoothbore 24 pounder, 5.82in. Projectile was intended for the 24 pounder smoothbore , which was uncommon, not a very practical weapon for field use because of its excessive weight, most were used as flanking guns in the forts or as Coehorn mortars. Ball was equipped with< the Bormann time fuze designed to detonate in the air above the target, spreading fragments against troops in the open field. 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 20 to 23lbs. with balls ), or as "common" (approx 16 to 18lbs. without balls). This ball is "common" or standard round, explosive charge only without balls. Shell was threaded for a Bormann time fuze , which is missing, exposing iron underplug. Projectile measures: diameter 5.7in., weight 16lbs., fuze missing. Research Center: Artillery1428-Ball24pdr, Ref: Dickey & George, Field Artillery (1993 Edition), pg. 47.  Details click: http://relicman.com/artillery/Artillery1428-Ball24pdr.html. |
A0200.09. Smoothbore artillery projectile, spherical ball, smoothbore 24 pounder, 5.82in., fragments   Fragments of 24 pounder ball were all found at "west fort", Second Battle of Winchester. Both case shot and common shot fragments were found. This was a Federal battery, captured by the Confederates. The shells were fired on this fort by the Federal artillery from Milroy's main battery. It is interesting to note that the batteries are nearly a mile apart, which means these shells were fired from a flanking 24 pounder, not a mortar. Milroy's defenses of Winchester in 1863 was a system of three hill top batteries in triangle fashion, this was an elevated inland fort and not a river or harbor fort. Flanking 24 pounder guns had only typically been used in coastal forts, Milroy's hilltop fort was equipped with both 32 pounder heavy guns and these 24 pounder flanking guns, this was unconventional for the period. All of these fragments were recovered from "west fort", Second Battle of Winchester, by Harry Ridgeway and Margaurite Smith.Ridgeway collection, Old Court House Civil War Museum, Winchester, Virginia |
| Smoothbore artillery projectile, spherical ball, bursting shell, "common" (standard), wood time fuze with .875in. opening, Coehorn mortar, smoothbore 24 pounder, 5.82 in. Projectile with the small wood fuze hole was intended for the Coehorn mortar, a relatively light cannon that could be lifted and placed into position by a couple of strong men behind a trench line, it was effective against troops in the opposing trench line. However it could alternately be used for the longer range cannons Fuze employed was a wood time fuze, fuze hole is smooth and tapered, the simple to make fuze could easily be hammered into place, Jones Fuzes pg. 2. Shell was cast for a smaller opening, (.875in. versus 1.125in.) may have originally distinguished the mortar from the howitzer cannon, but the difference is slight and apparently either would do if needed. Those with rounded cavity and thick walls likely did not carry balls and are "common" rounds (standard). Relatively thick casting, shell is apparently a "common" shot. Projectile measures: diameter 5.7in., weight 16lbs. (empty). Research Center: Artillery1431-Ball24pdr, Ref: Dickey & George, Field Artillery (1993 Edition), pg. 51.  Details click: http://relicman.com/artillery/Artillery1431-Ball24pdr.html. |
| Smoothbore artillery projectile, spherical ball, bursting shell, "common" (standard), wood time fuze with . 875in. opening, Coehorn mortar with lifting ears, smoothbore 24 pounder, 5.82 in. Projectile with the small wood fuze hole was intended for the Coehorn mortar, a relatively light cannon that could be lifted and placed into position by a couple of strong men behind a trench line, it was effective against troops in the opposing trench line. This ball was cast with lifting ears, this to facilitate positioning the ball in the barrel with the fuze facing opposite the powder charge. Fuze employed was a wood time fuze, fuze hole is smooth and tapered, the simple to make fuze could easily be hammered into place, Jones Fuzes pg. 2. Shell was cast for a smaller opening, (.875in. versus 1.125in.). Those with rounded cavity and thick walls likely did not carry balls and are "common" rounds (standard). Relatively thick casting, shell is apparently a "common" shot. Projectile measures: diameter 5.7in., weight 16lbs. (empty). Research Center: Artillery1432-Ball24pdr, Ref: Dickey & George, Field Artillery (1993 Edition), pg. 44.  Details click: http://relicman.com/artillery/Artillery1432-Ball24pdr.html. |
| Smoothbore artillery projectile, spherical ball, bursting shell, "common" (standard), wood time fuze with 1.125in. opening, smoothbore 24 pounder, 5.82 in. Projectile with the larger fuze hole, was intended for the longer range cannons, however it could alternately be used for the Coehorn mortar . Fuze employed was a wood time fuze, fuze hole is smooth and tapered, the simple to make fuze could easily be hammered into place, Jones Fuzes pg. 2. Shell was cast for a smaller opening, (.875in. versus 1.125in.) may have originally distinguished the mortar from the howitzer cannon, but the difference is slight and apparently either would do if needed. Those with rounded cavity and thick walls likely did not carry balls and are "common" rounds (standard). Relatively thick casting, shell is apparently a "common" shot. Projectile measures: diameter 5.7in., weight 16lbs. (empty). Research Center: Artillery1433-Ball24pdr, Ref: Dickey & George, Field Artillery (1993 Edition), pg. 51.  Details click: http://relicman.com/artillery/Artillery1433-Ball24pdr.html. |
| Smoothbore artillery projectile, spherical ball, bursting shell, polygonal cavity diamond pattern, wood time fuze with .875in. opening, Coehorn mortar, smoothbore 24 pounder, 5.82in. Projectile with the small wood fuze hole was intended for the Coehorn mortar, a relatively light cannon that could be lifted and placed into position by a couple of strong men behind a trench line, it was effective against troops in the opposing trench line. However it could alternately be used for the longer range cannons Fuze employed was a wood time fuze, fuze hole is smooth and tapered, the simple to make fuze could easily be hammered into place, Jones Fuzes pg. 2. Shell was cast for a smaller opening, (.875in. versus 1.125in.) may have originally distinguished the mortar from the howitzer cannon, but the difference is slight and apparently either would do if needed. This pattern is Confederate manufacture during the war. Instead of the usual round bursting chamber the interior was segmented into polygonal forms, points of weakness would be created to facilitate more uniform fragmentation. This pattern was cast using the four sided diamond shape, (Dickey & George Fig C-4 pg. 527), wall is very thick. Often the core would drift off center during casting, the resultant off center cavity would tend to negate the benefits of the segmented interior. Projectile measures: diameter 5.7in., weight 18lbs. Research Center: Artillery1434-Ball24pdr, Ref: Dickey & George, Field Artillery (1993 Edition), pg. 48.    Details click: http://relicman.com/artillery/Artillery1434-Ball24pdr.html. |
| Smoothbore artillery projectile, spherical ball, bursting shell, "case shot", Confederate copper time fuze, lead side-plug, smoothbore 24 pounder, 5.8in. Ball is Confederate wartime manufacture for the light smoothbore "Napoleon" cannon using the copper time fuze designed to detonate in the air above the target, spreading fragments against troops in the open field. Those with side plugs were generally configured as case shot (approx 18lbs. with iron balls), those without side plugs are usually "common" (approx 12lbs.) and without balls. This shell is "case shot" and employed a side plug as a way to load iron balls into the shell. Conventional case shot shells were usually filled with soft matrix and lead balls, an auger would be used to drill through the lead balls and the matrix to create a void for the powder train. Because of a shortage of lead, the Confederates substituted iron balls. To drill through a mixture of matrix and iron balls would be difficult, so a sizing rod would be inserted through the fuze hole to reserve a void for the powder, the iron balls and matrix would be loaded through a side hole, once loaded the side hole would be plugged, the sizing rod would be removed, and the powder train would be filled. This one was sealed with a lead side-plug. Fuze employed was a Confederate copper time fuze, short pattern for spherical projectiles, with flange and spanner holes, the fuze hole is recessed to seat the flange flush with the curvature of the ball, (Jones pg. 38). Projectile measures: diameter 5.68in., weight 18lbs. Research Center: Artillery1441-Ball24pdr, Ref: Dickey & George, Field Artillery (1993 Edition), pg. 49.   Details click: http://relicman.com/artillery/Artillery1441-Ball24pdr.html. |
| Smoothbore artillery projectile, spherical ball, bursting shell, seacoast watercap fuze, smoothbore 24 pounder, 5.82in. Projectile was intended for the 24 pounder smoothbore, which was uncommon, not a very practical weapon for field use because of its excessive weight, most were used as flanking guns in the forts or as Coehorn mortars. Ball was e quipped with a seacoast fuze for coastal defenses. It is rare to find this fuze in this caliber as most were used as flanking guns which normally would not require a water resistant fuze. Shell employed a drive in seacoast watercap fuze, small size, diameter .9 in. (Jones pg. 7) . Projectile measures: diameter 5.7in., weight 16lbs. Research Center: Artillery1451-Ball24pdr, Ref: Dickey & George, Field Artillery (1993 Edition), pg. 48.   Details click: http://relicman.com/artillery/Artillery1451-Ball24pdr.html. |
| 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. |
| Civil War Relicman, Harry Ridgeway, Civil War artillery, Relicman sales catalog. Click here: http://relicman.com/artillery/RelicmanSalesArtillery1.html.     Artillery for sale: http://relicman.com/artillery/RelicmanSalesArtillery1.html. |