A virtual examination of artifacts of the American Civil War
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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 |
| Rifled artillery projectile, Dyer design Research Center: Artillery4000-Dyer    Details click: http://relicman.com/artillery/Artillery4000-Dyer.html. |
| Rifled artillery projectile, Dyer design, Federal manufacture, solid bolt, experimental round, lead cup sabot with pre-cast flanges, Ordnance rifle, 3in. Projectile was manufactured in the Federal arsenals following the invention of Alexander Dyer. The sabot system utilized was an expanding lead cup around the base. This experimental pattern features the sabot with pre-cast flanges, later models did not include this feature. This bolt was designed with a flat nose, presumably to leave room for a fuze eventually, but the development never went that far. The size of this projectile suggests that it was intended for the 3 in Ordnance Rifle. However the three flanges suggest that this may have been designed to use in the Parrott rifle, however the diameter of the projectile is too wide to fit the smaller 2.9in. Parrott 10 pounder. This discrepency in the size may explain why this design was not advanced. Projectile measures: diameter 2.9in., length 7in. (excluding fuze), weight 10lbs. Research Center: Artillery4011-Dyer, Ref: Dickey & George (93 edition) pg. 149.     Details click: http://relicman.com/artillery/Artillery4011-Dyer.html. |
| Rifled artillery projectile, Dyer design, Federal manufacture, bursting shell, "common" (standard), rounded nose, lead cup sabot, without flame grooves, Schenkl rounded head percussion fuze early pattern, Ordnance rifle, 3in. Projectile was manufactured in the Federal arsenals following the invention of Alexander Dyer. The sabot system >utilized was an expanding lead cup around the base This pattern features the sabot with a concave bottom, and a groove around the top, no flame grooves were cut into the sabot, this came later. Nose of the shell is rounded, the sabot on this early pattern has iron straps imbedded on the bottom, probably to secure the powder bag. Some of these shells were configured as case shot (approx 10lbs to 11lbs . with balls ), or as "common" (approx 8lbs. to 9lbs. without balls). This shell is a "common" shell, (standard), it does not contain balls, and with a percussion fuze it was designed to detonate after striking enemy cannon or equipment. Fuze employed was a Schenkl brass percussion fuze, early version with rounded flange, Jones pg. 98 lower right. Projectile measures: diameter 2. 94in., length 7in. (excluding fuze), weight 8lbs. to 9lbs. Research Center: Artillery4012-Dyer, Ref: Dickey & George, Field Artillery (1993 Edition), pg. 144.     Details click: http://relicman.com/artillery/Artillery4012-Dyer.html. |
| Rifled artillery projectile, Dyer design, Federal manufacture, bursting shell, "common" (standard), rounded nose, lead cup sabot, with flame grooves, Dyer zinc time fuze , Ordnance rifle, 3in. Projectile was manufactured in the Federal arsenals following the invention of Alexander Dyer. The sabot system utilized was an expanding lead cup around the base This pattern features the sabot with a concave bottom, and a groove around the top, three flame grooves were cut into the sabot so that flame from firing would pass through the sabot and ignite the fuze , nose of the shell is rounded. Some of these shells were configured as case shot (approx 10lbs to 11lbs. with balls ), or as "common" (approx 8lbs. to 9lbs. without balls). This shell is " common", (standard), explosive charge only without lead balls , with a time fuze shell could be used against troops in the open field or enemy cannon. Fuze employed was a Dyer zinc time fuze, with spanner holes, and without a flange, the time fuze for common shell will have a large opening into the chamber, Jones , Fuzes, pg. 36, right. Projectile measures: diameter 2.94in., length 7in. (excluding fuze), weight 8lbs. to 9lbs. Research Center: Artillery4013-Dyer, Ref: Dickey & George, Field Artillery (1993 Edition), pg. 145.     Details click: http://relicman.com/artillery/Artillery4013-Dyer.html. |
| Rifled artillery projectile, Dyer design, Federal manufacture, bursting shell, "common" (standard), rounded nose, lead cup sabot, with irregular flame grooves, Dyer zinc time fuze, Ordnance rifle, 3in. Projectile was manufactured in the Federal arsenals following the invention of Alexander Dyer. The sabot system utilized was an expanding lead cup around the base This pattern features the sabot with a concave bottom, and a groove around the top, three flame grooves were cut into the sabot so that flame from firing would pass through the sabot and ignite the fuze , nose of the shell is rounded. A few of these shells have irregular groove around the top and flame grooves are rough cut and irregular. The sabots may have been recast or this could have been early production, before better techniques for cutting the flame groove and lubricating groove were developed. Some of these shells were configured as case shot (approx 10lbs to 11lbs. with balls), or as "common" (approx 8lbs. to 9lbs. without balls). This shell is " common", (standard), explosive charge only without lead balls , with a time fuze shell could be used against troops in the open field or enemy cannon. Fuze employed was a Dyer zinc time fuze, with spanner holes, and without a flange, the time fuze for common shell will have a large opening into the chamber, Jones, Fuzes, pg. 36, right. Projectile measures: diameter 2.94in., length 7in. (excluding fuze), weight 8lbs. to 9lbs. Research Center: Artillery4014-Dyer, Ref: Dickey & George, Field Artillery (1993 Edition), pg. 145.    Details click: http://relicman.com/artillery/Artillery4014-Dyer.html. |
| Rifled artillery projectile, Dyer design, Federal manufacture, bursting shell, "case shot", rounded nose, lead cup sabot, without flame grooves, Dyer zinc time fuze , Ordnance rifle, 3in. Projectile was manufactured in the Federal arsenals following the invention of Alexander Dyer. The sabot system utilized was an expanding lead cup around the base This pattern features the sabot with a concave bottom, and a groove around the top, no flame grooves were cut into the sabot, this came later. Nose of the shell is rounded, the sabot on this early pattern has iron straps imbedded on the bottom, probably to secure the powder bag. Some of these shells were configured as case shot (approx 10lbs to 11lbs . with balls ), or as "common" (approx 8lbs. to 9lbs. without balls). This shell is" case shot", explosive charge with lead balls , and with a time fuze was designed to detonate above the heads of troops in the open field. Fuze employed was a Dyer zinc time fuze, with spanner holes, and without a flange, the time fuze for case shot will have a small opening into the chamber, Jones , Fuzes, pg. 36 , left. Projectile measures: diameter 2. 94in., length 7in. (excluding fuze), weight 10lbs. to 11lbs. Research Center: Artillery4015-Dyer, Ref: Dickey & George, Field Artillery (1993 Edition), pg. 145.    Details click: http://relicman.com/artillery/Artillery4015-Dyer.html. |
| Rifled artillery projectile, Dyer design, Federal manufacture, bursting shell, "case shot" balls packed in sulfur matrix, rounded nose, lead cup sabot, with flame grooves, Dyer zinc time fuze, Ordnance rifle, 3in. Projectile was manufactured in the Federal arsenals following the invention of Alexander Dyer. The sabot system utilized was an expanding lead cup around the base. This pattern features the sabot with a concave bottom, and a groove around the top, three flame grooves were cut into the sabot so that flame from firing would pass through the sabot and ignite the fuze, nose of the shell is rounded. Some of these shells were configured as case shot (approx 10lbs to 11lbs. with balls), or as "common" (approx 8lbs. to 9lbs. without balls). This shell is "case shot", explosive charge with lead balls, and with a time fuze was designed to detonate above the heads of troops in the open field. Lead balls are packed in yellow or sulfur matrix. Fuze employed was a Dyer zinc time fuze, with spanner holes, and without a flange, the time fuze for case shot will have a small opening into the chamber, Jones, Fuzes, pg. 36, left. Projectile measures: diameter 2.94in., length 7in. (excluding fuze), weight 9.5lbs. to 11lbs. Research Center: Artillery4016-Dyer, Ref: Dickey & George, Field Artillery (1993 Edition), pg. 145.   Details click: http://relicman.com/artillery/Artillery4016-Dyer.html. |
| Rifled artillery projectile, Dyer design, Federal manufacture, bursting shell, "common" (standard), pointed nose, lead cup sabot, with flame grooves, Dyer zinc time fuze , Ordnance rifle, 3in. Projectile was manufactured in the Federal arsenals following the invention of Alexander Dyer. The sabot system utilized was an expanding lead cup around the base This pattern features the sabot with a concave bottom, and a groove around the top, three flame grooves were cut into the sabot so that flame from firing would pass through the sabot and ignite the fuze , nose of the shell is pointed. Some of these shells were configured as case shot (approx 10lbs to 11lbs. with balls), or as "common" (approx 8lbs. to 9lbs. without balls). This shell is " common", (standard), explosive charge only without lead balls, with a time fuze, shell could be used against troops in the open field or enemy cannon. Fuze employed was a Dyer zinc time fuze, with spanner holes, and without a flange, the time fuze for common shell will have a large opening into the chamber, Jones , Fuzes, pg. 36 , right. Projectile measures: diameter 2. 94in., length 7in. (excluding fuze), weight 8lbs. to 9lbs. Research Center: Artillery4017-Dyer, Ref: Dickey & George, Field Artillery (1993 Edition), pg. 146.     Details click: http://relicman.com/artillery/Artillery4017-Dyer.html. |
| Rifled artillery projectile, Dyer design, Federal manufacture, bursting shell, pointed nose, lead cup sabot middle groove and deep cup, threaded for a time fuze, Ordnance rifle, 3in. Projectile was manufactured in the Federal arsenals following the invention of Alexander Dyer. The sabot system utilized was an expanding lead cup around the base This pattern features the sabot with a deep cup into the bottom, and a groove around the middle, nose of the shell is pointed. Fuze hole is threaded for Taylor time fuze. Projectile measures: diameter 2. 94in., length 8.2in. (excluding fuze), weight not determined. Pattern is believed to have been manufactured after the Civil War. Research Center: Artillery4018-Dyer, Ref: Melton & Pawl Fig III B10.    Details click: http://relicman.com/artillery/Artillery4018-Dyer.html. |
A0200.23...Rifled artillery projectile, Dyer design, fragments  Fragments are from 3 inch Dyers, these were generally used in the early campaigns in the Shenandoah Valley. Recovered: Shenandoah Valley, Virginia 1864 campaign, by Harry Ridgeway.Ridgeway collection, Old Court House Civil War Museum, Winchester, Virginia |
A2180...Rifled artillery projectile, Dyer design, fragments with Schenkl percussion fuze, Dyer nose.   Dyer nose section with fuze intact, good display with scarce fuze. |
| Rifled artillery projectile, Dyer design, Federal manufacture, bursting shell, "case shot" balls packed in sulfur matrix, rounded nose, lead cup sabot, Dyer zinc time fuze , siege rifle, 4.5 in. Projectile was manufactured in the Federal arsenals following the invention of Alexander Dyer. The sabot system utilized was an expanding lead cup around the base This pattern features a massive lead sabot with a concave bottom, nose of the shell is rounded. This shell is " case shot", explosive charge with lead balls, and with a time fuze was designed to detonate above the heads of troops in the open field. Lead balls are packed in yellow or sulfur matrix. Fuze employed was a Dyer zinc time fuze, with spanner holes, and without a flange, the time fuze for case shot will have a small opening into the chamber, Jones, Fuzes, pg. 36, left. Projectile measures: diameter 4.4in., length 9.1in. (excluding fuze), weight 24lbs. Research Center: Artillery4021-Dyer, Ref: Bell , Heavy Ordnance, pg. 222.    Details click: http://relicman.com/artillery/Artillery4021-Dyer.html. |
| Rifled artillery projectile, Dyer design, Federal manufacture, bursting shell, pointed nose, lead cup sabot, wood time fuze, rifled 42 pounder gun 7in. Projectile was manufactured in the Federal arsenals following the invention of Alexander Dyer. The sabot system utilized was an expanding lead cup around the base. This pattern features a massive lead sabot with a concave bottom, nose of the shell is pointed. This shell is "common", (standard), explosive charge only without lead balls, with a time fuze, shell could be used against enemy cannon or troops defending a fort. The massive lead sabot was problematic, it tended to foul the cannons, and often it would block passage of the flame to the paper time fuze. To remedy this, the sabots on some were chopped with an axe, this to clear a flame path to the fuze. Fuze employed was a wood time fuze, Jones Fuzes pg. 2. Projectile measures: diameter 6.9in., length 13.75in., weight approx. 80lbs. with sabot, 65lbs. without sabot. Most of these 7in. Dyers were used by the Federal gunboats in the assault of Island No 10, a Confederate stronghold in the middle of the Mississippi River, the island washed away years ago by the river and these shells are found in the flood plain having sailed well past the target. Research Center: Artillery4031-Dyer, Ref: Bell, Heavy Ordnance, pg. 224.   Details click: http://relicman.com/artillery/Artillery4031-Dyer.html. |
| Rifled artillery projectile, Dyer design, Federal manufacture, bursting shell, pointed nose, lead cup sabot, Parrott "improved one part" percussion fuze, rifled 42 pounder gun 7in. Projectile was manufactured in the Federal arsenals following the invention of Alexander Dyer. The sabot system utilized was an expanding lead cup around the base. This pattern features a massive lead sabot with a concave bottom, nose of the shell is pointed. This shell is "common", (standard), explosive charge only without lead balls, with a time fuze, shell could be used against enemy cannon or troops defending a fort. The massive lead sabot was problematic, it tended to foul the cannons, and often it would block passage of the flame to the paper time fuze. To remedy this, the sabots on some were chopped with an axe, this to clear a flame path to the fuze. Fuze employed was a Parrott zinc "improved" one part design, with a flange, Jones, Fuzes, pg. 81, edge of the fuze hole is milled flat. Projectile measures: diameter 6.9in., length 13.75in., weight approx. 80lbs. with sabot, 65lbs. without sabot. Research Center: Artillery4032-Dyer, Ref: Bell, Heavy Ordnance, pg. 224.    Details click: http://relicman.com/artillery/Artillery4032-Dyer.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. |