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, Hotchkiss design Research Center: Artillery4300-Hotchkiss,    Details click: http://relicman.com/artillery/Artillery4300-Hotchkiss.html. |
| Rifled artillery projectile, Hotchkiss design, Federal manufacture, solid bolt, pattern with no flame grooves pointed nose, lead band sabot, Wiard 6 pounder rifle, 2.6in. Projectile was manufactured in the Federal arsenals following the invention of Andrew Hotchkiss. The pattern consisted of three parts, a nose section containing the explosive charge, a cast iron cup fitted on the bottom, and lead band sabot cast around the middle, on firing the cup would compress the lead band sabot expanding it into the rifling. Shell is solid casting, or "bolt" and was designed to be used against opposing cannon by striking the equipment, use of this light bolt had limited applicability and is relatively scarce in the smaller calibers. Nose of this pattern is pointed, base is flat, this is probably an experimental round. Projectile measures: diameter 2.4in., length 5.25in. unfired sabot, weight 5lbs. Research Center: Artillery4311-Hotchkiss, Ref: Dickey & George, Field Artillery (1993 Edition), pg. 158.    Details click: http://relicman.com/artillery/Artillery4311-Hotchkiss.html. |
| Rifled artillery projectile, Hotchkiss design, Federal manufacture, solid bolt, pattern with rounded nose, no flame grooves, rounded bottom, lead band sabot, Wiard 6 pounder rifle, 2.6in. Projectile was manufactured in the Federal arsenals following the invention of Andrew Hotchkiss. The pattern consisted of three parts, a nose section containing the explosive charge, a cast iron cup fitted on the bottom, and lead band sabot cast around the middle, on firing the cup would compress the lead band sabot expanding it into the rifling. Shell is solid casting, or "bolt" and was designed to be used against opposing cannon by striking the equipment, use of this light bolt had limited applicability and is relatively scarce in the smaller calibers. Nose of this pattern is rounded, base is rounded, this is probably an experimental round. Projectile measures: diameter 2.4in., length 5.25in. unfired sabot, weight 5lbs. Research Center: Artillery4312-Hotchkiss, Ref: Dickey & George, Field Artillery (1993 Edition), pg. 158.    Details click: http://relicman.com/artillery/Artillery4312-Hotchkiss.html. |
| Rifled artillery projectile, Hotchkiss design, Federal manufacture, bursting shell, pattern without flame grooves, pointed nose "common" (standard), lead band sabot, wood time fuze, Wiard 6 pounder rifle, 2.6in. Projectile was manufactured in the Federal arsenals following the invention of Andrew Hotchkiss. The pattern consisted of three parts, a nose section containing the explosive charge, a cast iron cup fitted on the bottom, and lead band sabot cast around the middle, on firing the cup would compress the lead band sabot expanding it into the rifling. Some of these shells were configured as case shot , filled with balls, or as "common", with out balls. This shell is a "common" shell, (standard), it does not contain balls, and with a time fuze it was designed to be used against either troops in the open field or enemy cannon. The nose section is pointed, containing an open cavity for the explosive charge only, without a separator bolt. Nose section contains a plugged hole centered on the bottom, presumably this hole was used to secure the core on casting, then a plug was installed to seal the bottom. This early version does not have a flame groove which was added in later patterns. 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. Hotchkiss patent date was cast (not stamped) into the base, "HOTCHKISS PATENT OCTOBER 9, 1855", and is typically weak. Projectile measures: diameter 2.5in., length 5.5in., excluding fuze, weight 5lbs. Research Center: Artillery4313-Hotchkiss, Ref: Dickey & George, Field Artillery (1993 Edition), pg. 161.    Details click: http://relicman.com/artillery/Artillery4313-Hotchkiss.html. |
| Rifled artillery projectile, Hotchkiss design, Federal manufacture, bursting shell, pattern without flame grooves, pointed nose "common" (standard), lead band sabot, Hotchkiss iron percussion "West Point" style fuze, Wiard 6 pounder rifle, 2.6in. Projectile was manufactured in the Federal arsenals following the invention of Andrew Hotchkiss. The pattern consisted of three parts, a nose section containing the explosive charge, a cast iron cup fitted on the bottom, and lead band sabot cast around the middle, on firing the cup would compress the lead band sabot expanding it into the rifling. Some of these shells were configured as case shot, filled with balls, or as "common", 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. The nose section is pointed, containing an open cavity for the explosive charge only, without a separator bolt. Shell does not have flame grooves, these were not needed when a percussion fuze was used. Fuze employed was an iron Hotchkiss percussion fuze, "West Point style" which means anvil and slider operated independently and was intended to detonate after striking the enemy cannon or equipment, Jones pg. 92 . Hotchkiss patent date was cast (not stamped) into the base, "HOTCHKISS PATENT OCTOBER 9, 1855", and is typically weak. Projectile measures: diameter 2.5in., length 6in. (excluding fuze). weight 5lbs. Research Center: Artillery4314-Hotchkiss, Ref: Dickey & George, Field Artillery (1993 Edition), pg.161.    Details click: http://relicman.com/artillery/Artillery4314-Hotchkiss.html. |
| Rifled artillery projectile, Hotchkiss design, Federal manufacture, bursting shell, pattern with flame grooves, pointed nose "common" (standard), lead band sabot, wood time fuze, Wiard 6 pounder rifle, 2.6in. Projectile was manufactured in the Federal arsenals following the invention of Andrew Hotchkiss. The pattern consisted of three part s, a nose section containing the explosive charge, a cast iron cup fitted on the bottom, and lead band sabot cast around the middle, on firing the cup would compress the lead band sabot expanding it into the rifling. Some of these shells were configured as case shot , filled with balls, or as "common", with out balls. This shell is a "common" shell, (standard), it does not contain balls, and with a time fuze it was designed to be used against either troops in the open field or enemy cannon. The nose section is pointed, containing an open cavity for the explosive charge only, without a separator bolt. Nose section contains a plugged hole centered on the bottom, presumably this hole was used to secure the core on casting, then a plug was installed to seal the bottom. Three flame grooves added so that flame from firing would pass through the sabot and ignite the fuze. 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. Hotchkiss patent date was cast (not stamped) into the base, "HOTCHKISS PATENT OCTOBER 9, 1855", and is typically weak. Projectile measures: diameter 2.5in., length 5.5in., excluding fuze, weight 5lbs. Research Center: Artillery4315-Hotchkiss, Ref: Dickey & George, Field Artillery (1993 Edition), pg. 160.    Details click: http://relicman.com/artillery/Artillery4315-Hotchkiss.html. |
| Rifled artillery projectile, Hotchkiss design, Federal manufacture, solid bolt, pattern with without flame grooves, pointed nose, lead band sabot, Ordnance rifle, 3in. Projectile was manufactured in the Federal arsenals following the invention of Andrew Hotchkiss. The pattern consisted of three parts, a nose section containing the explosive charge, a cast iron cup fitted on the bottom, and lead band sabot cast around the middle, on firing the cup would compress the lead band sabot expanding it into the rifling. Projectile is solid casting, or "bolt" and was designed to be used against opposing cannon by striking the equipment, use of this light bolt had limited applicability and is relatively scarce in the smaller calibers. Nose of this pattern is pointed. Projectile measures: diameter 2.94in., length 7.25in. unfired sabot, weight 10lbs. Research Center: Artillery4321-Hotchkiss, Ref: Dickey & George, Field Artillery (1993 Edition), pg. 163.    Details click: http://relicman.com/artillery/Artillery4321-Hotchkiss.html. |
| Rifled artillery projectile, Hotchkiss design, Federal manufacture, bursting shell, pattern without flame grooves, rounded nose, "case shot" iron balls packed in sawdust, iron separator bolt, lead band sabot, Hotchkiss lead time fuze, Ordnance rifle, 3in. Projectile was manufactured in the Federal arsenals following the invention of Andrew Hotchkiss. The pattern consisted of three parts, a nose section containing the explosive charge, a cast iron cup fitted on the bottom, and lead band sabot cast around the middle, on firing the cup would compress the lead band sabot expanding it into the rifling. Some of these shells were "common" or standard rounds, explosive charge only, or "case shot", filled with balls. This is "case shot", with a time fuze it was designed to be used against troops by spreading large volume of fragments and balls over the open field of fighting. Iron balls were packed in sawdust only. The nose is rounded to accomodate the extra load of balls and the casting in the nose is thin to encourage breakage forward in the nose. There are two chambers in the nose, all of the powder is in the lower chamber, all of the balls are in the upper chamber, there is an iron seperator bolt in the middle, with a hole and a narrow metal channel to allow the flame to pass from the fuze to detonate the powder in the lower chamber. On detonation, the exploding powder in the base was expected to push the seperator bolt and the balls forward and out the weak top section of the nose. The nose was cast as one part, the bottom is solid, the separator bolt apparently was precast and imbedded in the core, then positioned after casting once the core was removed, it is larger than the fuze opening. This early design did not have flame grooves, these were added in later patterns so that flame from firing would pass through the sabot and ignite the fuze. Fuze employed was a Hotchkiss lead time fuze, with spanner holes, early pattern did not have a flange, Jones pg. 86. Hotchkiss patent date was cast, not stamped, into the base, "HOTCHKISS PATENT OCTOBER 9, 1855", and is typically very weak and may have been omitted entirely as the molds wore down or were replaced. Projectile measures: diameter 2.9in., length 7.0in unfired, 6.75in. sabot compressed from firing, excluding fuze, weight 9lbs., average. Research Center: Artillery4322-Hotchkiss, Ref: Dickey & George, Field Artillery (1993 Edition), pg. 164.    Details click: http://relicman.com/artillery/Artillery4322-Hotchkiss.html. |
| Rifled artillery projectile, Hotchkiss design, Federal manufacture, bursting shell, pattern without flame grooves, pointed nose "common" (standard), lead band sabot, Hotchkiss percussion fuze, Ordnance rifle, 3in. Projectile was manufactured in the Federal arsenals following the invention of Andrew Hotchkiss. The pattern consisted of three parts, a nose section containing the explosive charge, a cast iron cup fitted on the bottom, and lead band sabot cast around the middle, on firing the cup would compress the lead band sabot expanding it into the rifling. Some of these shells were "common" or standard rounds, explosive charge only, or "case shot", filled with balls. This shell is a "common" shell, (standard), it does not contain balls, and with a percussion fuze it was designed to be used against enemy cannon. The nose section is pointed, containing an open cavity for the explosive charge only, without a separator bolt. Nose section contains a plugged hole centered on the bottom, presumably this hole was used to secure the core on casting, then a plug was installed to seal the bottom. Hotchkiss patent date was cast, not stamped, into the base, "HOTCHKISS PATENT OCTOBER 9, 1855", and is typically very weak and may have been omitted entirely as the molds wore down or were replaced. Flame grooves were not used on this pattern, with a percussion fuze the flame groove was not needed. Fuze employed was a Hotchkiss percussion fuze, cap secured by a single slot tightening groove, with flange, Jones pg 94. Projectile measures: diameter 2.9in., length 6.5in., unfired, 6.25in. sabot compressed from firing, excluding fuze, weight 8.0 to 8.5lbs. Research Center: Artillery4323-Hotchkiss, Ref: Dickey & George, Field Artillery (1993 Edition), pg. 166.    Details click: http://relicman.com/artillery/Artillery4323-Hotchkiss.html. |
| Rifled artillery projectile, Hotchkiss design, Federal manufacture, bursting shell, pattern with flame grooves, rounded nose "case shot" iron balls packed in sawdust, iron separator bolt, lead band sabot, Hotchkiss lead time fuze, Ordnance rifle, 3in. Projectile was manufactured in the Federal arsenals following the invention of Andrew Hotchkiss. The pattern consisted of three parts, a nose section containing the explosive charge, a cast iron cup fitted on the bottom, and lead band sabot cast around the middle, on firing the cup would compress the lead band sabot expanding it into the rifling. Some of these shells were "common" or standard rounds, explosive charge only, or "case shot", filled with balls. This is "case shot", with a time fuze it was designed to be used against troops by spreading large volume of fragments and balls over the open field of fighting. Iron balls were packed in sawdust only. The nose is rounded to accomodate the extra load of balls and the casting in the nose is thin to encourage breakage forward in the nose. There are two chambers in the nose, all of the powder is in the lower chamber, all of the balls are in the upper chamber, there is an iron seperator bolt in the middle, with a hole and a narrow metal channel to allow the flame to pass from the fuze to detonate the powder in the lower chamber. On detonation, the exploding powder in the base was expected to push the seperator bolt and the balls forward and out the weak top section of the nose. The nose was cast as one part, the bottom is solid, the separator bolt apparently was precast and imbedded in the core, then positioned after casting once the core was removed, it is larger than the fuze opening. Three flame grooves were added so that flame from firing would pass through the sabot and ignite the fuze. Fuze employed was a Hotchkiss lead time fuze, with spanner holes, early pattern did not have a flange, Jones pg. 86. Hotchkiss patent date was cast, not stamped, into the base, "HOTCHKISS PATENT OCTOBER 9, 1855", and is typically very weak and may have been omitted entirely as the molds wore down or were replaced. Projectile measures: diameter 2.9in., length 7.0in unfired, 6.75in. sabot compressed from firing, excluding fuze, weight 9lbs., average. Research Center: Artillery4324-Hotchkiss, Ref: Dickey & George, Field Artillery (1993 Edition), pg. 164.   Details click: http://relicman.com/artillery/Artillery4324-Hotchkiss.html. |
| Rifled artillery projectile, Hotchkiss design, Federal manufacture, bursting shell, pattern with flame grooves, pointed nose "common" (standard), lead band sabot, wood time fuze, Ordnance rifle, 3in. Projectile was manufactured in the Federal arsenals following the invention of Andrew Hotchkiss. The pattern consisted of three parts, a nose section containing the explosive charge, a cast iron cup fitted on the bottom, and lead band sabot cast around the middle, on firing the cup would compress the lead band sabot expanding it into the rifling. Some of these shells were "common" or standard rounds, explosive charge only, or "case shot", filled with balls. This shell is a "common" shell, (standard), it does not contain balls, and with a time fuze it was designed to be used against either troops in the open field or enemy cannon. The nose section is pointed, containing an open cavity for the explosive charge only, without a separator bolt. Nose section contains a plugged hole centered on the bottom, presumably this hole was used to secure the core on casting, then a plug was installed to seal the bottom. Three flame grooves were added so that flame from firing would pass through the sabot and ignite the fuze. Hotchkiss patent date was cast, not stamped, into the base, "HOTCHKISS PATENT OCTOBER 9, 1855", and is typically very weak and may have been omitted entirely as the molds wore down or were replaced. Three flame grooves added so that flame from firing would pass through the sabot and ignite the fuze. 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. Projectile measures: diameter 2.9in., length 6.75in., unfired, 6.5in. sabot compressed from firing, excluding fuze, weight 8lbs., average. Research Center: Artillery4325-Hotchkiss, Ref: Dickey & George, Field Artillery (1993 Edition), pg. 167.    Details click: http://relicman.com/artillery/Artillery4325-Hotchkiss.html. |
| Rifled artillery projectile, Hotchkiss design, Federal manufacture, bursting shell, pattern with flame grooves, pointed nose "common" (standard), lead band sabot, Hotchkiss brass time fuze, Ordnance rifle, 3in. Projectile was manufactured in the Federal arsenals following the invention of Andrew Hotchkiss. The pattern consisted of three parts, a nose section containing the explosive charge, a cast iron cup fitted on the bottom, and lead band sabot cast around the middle, on firing the cup would compress the lead band sabot expanding it into the rifling. Some of these shells were "common" or standard rounds, explosive charge only, or "case shot", filled with balls. This shell is a "common" shell, (standard), it does not contain balls, and with a time fuze it was designed to be used against either troops in the open field or enemy cannon. The nose section is pointed, containing an open cavity for the explosive charge only, without a separator bolt. Nose section contains a plugged hole centered on the bottom, presumably this hole was used to secure the core on casting, then a plug was installed to seal the bottom. Hotchkiss patent date was cast, not stamped, into the base, "HOTCHKISS PATENT OCTOBER 9, 1855", and is typically very weak and may have been omitted entirely as the molds wore down or were replaced. Three flame grooves added so that flame from firing would pass through the sabot and ignite the fuze. Fuze employed was a Hotchkiss brass time fuze, with slots and a flange, Jones pg. 87. Projectile measures: diameter 2.9in., length 6.75in., unfired, 6.5in. sabot compressed from firing, excluding fuze, weight 8lbs., average. Research Center: Artillery4326-Hotchkiss, Ref: Dickey & George, Field Artillery (1993 Edition), pg. 167.    Details click: http://relicman.com/artillery/Artillery4326-Hotchkiss.html. |
| Rifled artillery projectile, Hotchkiss design, Federal manufacture, bursting shell, pattern with flame grooves, rounded nose, "case shot" lead balls packed loose without matrix or with asphalt matrix, iron separator bolt, lead band sabot, Hotchkiss brass time fuze, Ordnance rifle, 3in. Projectile was manufactured in the Federal arsenals following the invention of Andrew Hotchkiss. The pattern consisted of three parts, a nose section containing the explosive charge, a cast iron cup fitted on the bottom, and lead band sabot cast around the middle, on firing the cup would compress the lead band sabot expanding it into the rifling. Some of these shells were "common" or standard rounds, explosive charge only, or "case shot", filled with balls. This is "case shot", with a time fuze it was designed to be used against troops by spreading large volume of fragments and balls over the open field of fighting. Lead balls were packed in sawdust only, early production, or black asphalt matrix, later production. The nose is rounded to accomodate the extra load of balls and the casting in the nose is thin to encourage breakage forward in the nose. There are two chambers in the nose, all of the powder is in the lower chamber, all of the balls are in the upper chamber, there is an iron seperator bolt in the middle, with a hole and a narrow metal channel to allow the flame to pass from the fuze to detonate the powder in the lower chamber. On detonation, the exploding powder in the base was expected to push the seperator bolt and the balls forward and out the weak top section of the nose. The nose was cast as one part, the bottom is solid, the separator bolt apparently was precast and imbedded in the core, then positioned after casting once the core was removed, it is larger than the fuze opening. Three flame grooves added so that flame from firing would pass through the sabot and ignite the fuze. Fuze employed was a Hotchkiss brass time fuze, with slots and a flange, Jones pg. 87. Hotchkiss patent date was cast, not stamped, into the base, "HOTCHKISS PATENT OCTOBER 9, 1855", and is typically very weak and may have been omitted entirely as the molds wore down or were replaced. Projectile measures: diameter 2.9in., length 7.0in unfired, 6.75in. sabot compressed from firing, excluding fuze, weight 9lbs., average. Research Center: Artillery4327-Hotchkiss, Ref: Dickey & George, Field Artillery (1993 Edition), pg. 167. Details click: http://relicman.com/artillery/Artillery4327-Hotchkiss.html. |
| Rifled artillery projectile, Hotchkiss design, Federal manufacture, bursting shell, pattern with flame grooves, flat top "common shot", lead band sabot, Hotchkiss brass time fuze , Ordnance rifle, 3in. Projectile was manufactured in the Federal arsenals following the invention of Andrew Hotchkiss. The pattern consisted of three parts, a nose section containing the explosive charge, a cast iron cup fitted on the bottom, and lead band sabot cast around the middle, on firing the cup would compress the lead band sabot expanding it into the rifling. Some of these shells were configured as case shot, filled with balls, or as "common", without balls. This shell is "common shot", explosive charge only, and with a time fuze was designed to detonate above the heads of troops in the open field. This pattern features a nearly flat nose and may have been designed to pack additional "case shot" balls, however, few of these were used and cut examples reveal that at least some of them were sent into the field configured as "common shot". This pattern was a late war development and may have been experimental, and it would appear that this evolved into the next generation pattern with the 15 second fuze after the war. Three flame grooves added so that flame from firing would pass through the sabot and ignite the fuze. Shell cavity is single cavity. Bottom of shell is rounded. Fuze employed was a Hotchkiss brass time fuze, with slots and a flange, Jones pg. 87. Projectile measures: diameter 2.9in., length 6.5in unfired, 6.25in. sabot compressed from firing, excluding fuze, weight 9lbs. Research Center: Artillery4328-Hotchkiss, Ref: Dickey & George, Field Artillery (1993 Edition), pg. 168.    Details click: http://relicman.com/artillery/Artillery4328-Hotchkiss.html. |
| Rifled artillery projectile, Hotchkiss design, Federal manufacture, bursting shell, pattern with flame grooves, flat top "case shot" lead balls, lead band sabot, Wright time fuze with Hotchkiss percussion fuze , Ordnance rifle, 3in. Projectile was manufactured in the Federal arsenals following the invention of Andrew Hotchkiss. The pattern consisted of three parts, a nose section containing the explosive charge, a cast iron cup fitted on the bottom, and lead band sabot cast around the middle, on firing the cup would compress the lead band sabot expanding it into the rifling. Some of these shells were configured as case shot , filled with balls, or as "common", 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. This pattern features a nearly flat nose designed to pack additional "case shot" balls. Three flame grooves added so that flame from firing would pass through the sabot and ignite the fuze. Bottom of shell is somewhat flat. Fuze employed was a 15 second Wright time fuze, Hotchkiss brass percussion fuze installed in the center, Jones pg. 28. Although thought to have been in production by the end of the war, none made it into the field by the time of the surrender. Projectile measures: diameter 2.9in., length 6.75in. unfired, excluding fuze, weight 9lbs. Research Center: Artillery4329-Hotchkiss, Ref: Dickey & George, Field Artillery (1993 Edition), pg. 170.     Details click: http://relicman.com/artillery/Artillery4329-Hotchkiss.html. |
A0052...Rifled artillery projectile, Hotchkiss design, 3in., fragments, base and sabot from case shot.  Top blew off this case shot leaving base, sabot and bottom of the nose. Clearly visible is a pin that was imbedded in the bottom, purpose is not entirely clear. The powder was in the bottom and there was a seperator bolt above the powder. Most seem to have had a tube to the bottom but some seem to have had this pin. Recovered: Harry Ridgeway Frederick County, Virginia.Ridgeway collection, Old Court House Civil War Museum, Winchester, Virginia |
A0053...Rifled artillery projectile, Hotchkiss design, 3in., fragments., base sabot and bottom of nose from case shot.  Top is blown from this fired example, exposing the interior, separator bolt and tube into the lower powder chamber. Recovered: Richmond, Petersburg, Virginia campaign. |
A0200.15...Rifled artillery projectile, Hotchkiss design, 3in., fragments         This is sampling of fragments from 3 inch Hotchkiss. Hotchkiss was probably used more in the Shenadoah Valley than any other patterns. The lead sabot would often seperate from firing, it would get hot and soft, and peel and coil typically. The base section will usually seperate as a unit, the very thin fragments often found, and often mistaken for farm junk are from the sides of the base. Common shells had a single cavity and are thick and rounded in the nose. Case shot shells are thin in the nose and often would break at the weak section of the nose. Case shot had a dual chamber, balls were on top and a seperator bolt seperated the case shot balls from the powder chamber below. On case shot the step to hold the bolt is often visible. Most Hotchkiss had flame grooves, this created another point of weakness and often the fragments will show somewhat straight lines as the break followed the flame grooves. Recovered: Shenandoah Valley, Virginia 1863 and 1864 campaigns, Second and Third Battles of Winchester and Battle of Cedar Creek, by Harry Ridgeway.Ridgeway collection, Old Court House Civil War Museum, Winchester, Virginia |
A0984...Rifled artillery projectile, Hotchkiss design, 3in., fragments  This entire fragment seperated from its shell, curled up from the heat of firing and was distorted, but was discharged intact. It clearly shows the 7 lands and grooves from the Ordnance rifle. Recovered: Shepherdstown Virginia (now West Virginia), by Ian Workman. |
A1828...Rifled artillery projectile, Hotchkiss design, 3in., case shot ground burst.  Top is blown from this fired example, exposing the interior, notice the thin area at the top, section of nose with brass time fuze intact is included. |
A1829...Rifled artillery projectile, Hotchkiss design, 3in., case shot blown top.   Top is blown from this fired example, exposing the interior, notice the thin area at the top, section of nose with lead fuze intact is included. Recovered: Chancellorsville, Virginia. |
A2913...Rifled artillery projectile, Hotchkiss design, Federal manufacture,Ordnance rifle, 3in., ground burst case shot nose. Ground burst includes about half of the pieces, including the fuze, base and a number of side fragments. |
A2996...Rifled artillery projectile, Hotchkiss design, 3in., base sabot and section of nose from common shell.  Hotchkiss fragment, base, sabot shows 7 lands and grooves, and part of the nose, top blew off. The nose section shows the pin in the bottom. Recovered: 1864 Shenandoah Valley Virginia campaign, Fishers Hill, Virginia. |
| Rifled artillery projectile, Hotchkiss design, Federal manufacture, solid bolt, pattern with no flame grooves pointed nose, flat bottom, lead band sabot, Navy rifled boat howitzer, 3.4in. Projectile was manufactured in the Federal arsenals following the invention of Andrew Hotchkiss. The pattern consisted of three parts, a nose section containing the explosive charge, a cast iron cup fitted on the bottom, and lead band sabot cast around the middle, on firing the cup would compress the lead band sabot expanding it into the rifling. Shell is solid casting, or "bolt" and was designed to be used against opposing cannon by striking the equipment. This pattern was designed for the Navy, to be used on boat howitzer, which was a small gun positioned on the bow. Nose is pointed, base is flat, and sabot was fitted leaving significant gap at both the top and the bottom. Projectile measures: diameter 3.35in., length 7.25in. unfired sabot, weight 12lbs. Research Center: Artillery4331-Hotchkiss, Ref: Dickey & George, Field Artillery (1993 Edition), pg. 395.    Details click: http://relicman.com/artillery/Artillery4331-Hotchkiss.html. |
| Rifled artillery projectile, Hotchkiss design, Federal manufacture, bursting shell, pattern without flame grooves, "common" (standard) , lead band sabot, Hotchkiss percussion fuze , Navy rifled boat howitzer, 3.4in. Projectile was manufactured in the Federal arsenals following the invention of Andrew Hotchkiss. The pattern consisted of three parts, a nose section containing the explosive charge, a cast iron cup fitted on the bottom, and lead band sabot cast around the middle, on firing the cup would compress the lead band sabot expanding it into the rifling. Some of these shells were configured as case shot , filled with balls, or as "common", 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. This pattern was designed for the Navy, to be used on boat howitzer, which was a small gun positioned on the bow. The nose section contains an open cavity for the explosive charge only, without a separator bolt. Nose section contains a plugged hole centered on the bottom, presumably this hole was used to secure the core on casting, then a plug was installed to seal the bottom. Shell does not have flame grooves, these were not needed when a percussion fuze was used. Fuze employed was a Hotchkiss percussion fuze, cap secured by a single slot tightening groove, with flange, Jones pg 94. Projectile measures: diameter 3.3in., length 7.0in. (excluding fuze), weight 11.5lbs. Research Center: Artillery4332-Hotchkiss, Ref: Dickey & George, Field Artillery (1993 Edition), pg. 396.    Details click: http://relicman.com/artillery/Artillery4332-Hotchkiss.html. |
| Rifled artillery projectile, Hotchkiss design, Federal manufacture, bursting shell, pattern without flame grooves, pointed nose "common" (standard), lead band sabot, Hotchkiss percussion fuze, Blakeley 12 pounder rifle, 3.5in. Projectile was manufactured in the Federal arsenals following the invention of Andrew Hotchkiss. The pattern consisted of three parts, a nose section containing the explosive charge, a cast iron cup fitted on the bottom, and lead band sabot cast around the middle, on firing the cup would compress the lead band sabot expanding it into the rifling. Some of these shells were "common" or standard rounds, explosive charge only, or "case shot", filled with balls. This shell is a "common" shell, (standard), it does not contain balls, and with a percussion fuze it was designed to be used against enemy cannon. The nose section is pointed, containing an open cavity for the explosive charge only, without a separator bolt. Nose section contains a plugged hole centered on the bottom, presumably this hole was used to secure the core on casting, then a plug was installed to seal the bottom. Hotchkiss patent date was cast, not stamped, into the base, "HOTCHKISS PATENT OCTOBER 9, 1855 / MAY 14, 1861 ", and is typically very weak and may have been omitted entirely as the molds wore down or were replaced. Flame grooves were not used on this pattern, with a percussion fuze the flame groove was not needed. Fuze employed was a Hotchkiss percussion fuze, cap secured by a single slot tightening groove, with flange, Jones pg 94. Projectile measures: diameter 3.35in., length 6.25in., fired sabot compressed, weight 10.0lb. Research Center: Artillery4341-Hotchkiss, Ref: Dickey & George, Field Artillery (1993 Edition), pg. 174.    Details click: http://relicman.com/artillery/Artillery4341-Hotchkiss.html. |
| Rifled artillery projectile, Hotchkiss design, Federal manufacture, solid bolt, pattern without flame grooves, pointed nose, lead band sabot, rifled 6 pounder gun, 3.67in. Projectile was manufactured in the Federal arsenals following the invention of Andrew Hotchkiss. The pattern consisted of three parts, a nose section containing the explosive charge, a cast iron cup fitted on the bottom, and lead band sabot cast around the middle, on firing the cup would compress the lead band sabot expanding it into the rifling. Shell is solid casting, or "bolt" and was designed to be used against opposing cannon by striking the equipment, use of this light bolt had limited applicability and is relatively scarce in the smaller calibers. Nose of this pattern is pointed. Hotchkiss patent date was cast, not stamped, into the base, "HOTCHKISS PATENT OCTOBER 9, 1855 / MAY 14, 1861", and is typically weak. Projectile measures: diameter 3.6in., length 6.5in. (excluding fuze), weight 12.5lb. Research Center: Artillery4351-Hotchkiss, Ref: Dickey & George, Field Artillery (1993 Edition), pg. 171.    Details click: http://relicman.com/artillery/Artillery4351-Hotchkiss.html. |
| Rifled artillery projectile, Hotchkiss design, Federal manufacture, bursting shell, pattern without flame grooves, pointed nose "common" (standard), lead band sabot, Hotchkiss iron percussion "West Point" style fuze, rifled 6 pounder gun, 3.67in. Projectile was manufactured in the Federal arsenals following the invention of Andrew Hotchkiss. The pattern consisted of three parts, a nose section containing the explosive charge, a cast iron cup fitted on the bottom, and lead band sabot cast around the middle, on firing the cup would compress the lead band sabot expanding it into the rifling. Some of these shells were "common" or standard rounds, explosive charge only, or "case shot", filled with balls. This shell is a "common" shell, (standard), it does not contain balls, and with a percussion fuze it was designed to be used against enemy cannon. The nose section is pointed, containing an open cavity for the explosive charge only, without a separator bolt. Nose section contains a plugged hole centered on the bottom, presumably this hole was used to secure the core on casting, then a plug was installed to seal the bottom. Hotchkiss patent date was cast, not stamped, into the base, "HOTCHKISS PATENT OCTOBER 9, 1855 / MAY 14, 1861 ", and is typically very weak and may have been omitted entirely as the molds wore down or were replaced. Flame grooves were not used on this pattern, with a percussion fuze the flame groove was not needed. Fuze employed was a Hotchkiss iron percussion fuze, "West Point style" which means anvil and slider operated independently, Jones pg. 92 . Projectile measures: diameter 3.6in., length 6.5in. (excluding fuze), weight 12.0lb. Research Center: Artillery4352-Hotchkiss, Ref: Dickey & George, Field Artillery (1993 Edition), pg. 174.     Details click: http://relicman.com/artillery/Artillery4352-Hotchkiss.html. |
| Rifled artillery projectile, Hotchkiss design, Federal manufacture, bursting shell, pattern without flame grooves, rounded nose, "case shot" iron balls packed in sawdust, iron separator bolt, lead band sabot, Hotchkiss lead time fuze, rifled 6 pounder gun, 3.67in. Projectile was manufactured in the Federal arsenals following the invention of Andrew Hotchkiss. The pattern consisted of three parts, a nose section containing the explosive charge, a cast iron cup fitted on the bottom, and lead band sabot cast around the middle, on firing the cup would compress the lead band sabot expanding it into the rifling. Some of these shells were "common" or standard rounds, explosive charge only, or "case shot", filled with balls. This is "case shot", with a time fuze it was designed to be used against troops by spreading large volume of fragments and balls over the open field of fighting. Iron balls were packed in sawdust only. The nose is rounded to accomodate the extra load of balls and the casting in the nose is thin to encourage breakage forward in the nose. There are two chambers in the nose, all of the powder is in the lower chamber, all of the balls are in the upper chamber, there is an iron seperator bolt in the middle, with a hole and a narrow metal channel to allow the flame to pass from the fuze to detonate the powder in the lower chamber. On detonation, the exploding powder in the base was expected to push the seperator bolt and the balls forward and out the weak top section of the nose. The nose was cast as one part, the bottom is solid, the separator bolt apparently was precast and imbedded in the core, then positioned after casting once the core was removed, it is larger than the fuze opening. This early design did not have flame grooves, these were added in later patterns so that flame from firing would pass through the sabot and ignite the fuze. Fuze employed was a Hotchkiss lead time fuze, with spanner holes, early pattern did not have a flange, Jones pg. 86. Hotchkiss patent date was cast, not stamped, into the base, "HOTCHKISS PATENT OCTOBER 9, 1855 / MAY 14, 1861", and is typically very weak and may have been omitted entirely as the molds wore down or were replaced. Projectile measures: diameter 3.6in., length 7.0in. (excluding fuze), weight 13.9lbs. Research Center: Artillery4353-Hotchkiss, Ref: Dickey & George, Field Artillery (1993 Edition), pg. 177.     Details click: http://relicman.com/artillery/Artillery4353-Hotchkiss.html. |
| More Hotchkiss, page 2, 3.8in. and up. Research Center: Artillery4300-Hotchkiss, Details click: http://relicman.com/artillery/Artillery4302-Hotchkiss-Page2.html. |
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