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

by Harry Ridgeway



Research Center: Artillery4017-Dyer
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.


A0043...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 6.0lbs. empty. Fired sabot intact showing 7 lands & grooves. Dyer time fuze missing. Projectile is disarmed, open fuze hole exposes empty interior. Recovered: Route 522 near airport, Winchester Virginia, by Steve Baker.
Ref: Dickey & George, Field Artillery (1993 Edition), pg. 146.
Ridgeway collection, Old Court House Civil War Museum, Winchester, Virginia

A1548...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 10.1lb. Lead cup sabot is un-fired. Dyer time fuze intact. Projectile is disarmed, drill hole through the paper section of the time fuze. Recovered: Cedar Mountain, Virginia.
Ref: Dickey & George, Field Artillery (1993 Edition), pg. 146.

A2879...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 9.3lbs. Lead cup sabot shows seven lands and grooves, fired from the Ordnance rifle. Metal solid, crack in side is probably stress from firing. Dyer time fuze intact. Projectile is disarmed, drill hole through the paper section of the time fuze. Recovered: not known.
Ref: Dickey & George, Field Artillery (1993 Edition), pg. 146.


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
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