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

Research Center: Artillery1421-Ball24pdr

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.

A2290. 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. Bormann fuze intact, punched and burned. Projectile is disarmed, drill hole through the bottom. Recovered: not known. Ref: Dickey & George, Field Artillery (1993 Edition), pg. 47.

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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