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

Research Center: Artillery4424-James

Rifled artillery projectile, James design, Federal manufacture, bursting shell, "common" (standard), open base with slots, lead and tin sleeve sabot, tie ring base, James percussion fuze, James 14 pounder rifle, 3.8in. Projectile was manufactured in the Federal arsenals following the invention of Charles James. The pattern utilized a hollow caged cavity (called a "birdcage") covered by a thin sleeve of lead , tin , and canvass, the thin sabot would expand into the rifling, and then be discharged after the projectile left the bore. This meant that there always be flying metal debris which could be a problem for forward troops . Four small holes were drilled into the base, these are thought to have been vent holes, however they are often lead filled. A ring around the base was originally installed to hold an iron cup, however it appears the iron cup may not have been used and the tie ring either was abandoned or used to secure the powder bag. Shell is common shot (does not contain balls) and with percussion fuze was designed to be used against opposing cannon by striking the equipment . Fuze employed was the James brass anvil percussion fuze, "West Point" two part fuze, Jones pg. 30 . Projectile measures: diameter 3.7in., length 6.75in. weight 10lbs , with sabot. Research Center: Artillery4424-James, Ref: Dickey & George, Field Artillery (1993 Edition), pg. 189. Details click: http://relicman.com/artillery/Artillery4424-James.html.

A0331...Rifled artillery projectile, James design, Federal manufacture, bursting shell, "common" (standard), open base with slots, lead and tin sleeve sabot, tie ring base, James percussion fuze, James 14 pounder rifle, 3.8in. Projectile was manufactured in the Federal arsenals following the invention of Charles James. The pattern utilized a hollow caged cavity (called a "birdcage") covered by a thin sleeve of lead , tin , and canvass, the thin sabot would expand into the rifling, and then be discharged after the projectile left the bore. This meant that there always be flying metal debris which could be a problem for forward troops . Four small holes were drilled into the base, these are thought to have been vent holes, however they are often lead filled. A ring around the base was originally installed to hold an iron cup, however it appears the iron cup may not have been used and the tie ring either was abandoned or used to secure the powder bag. Shell is common shot (does not contain balls) and with percussion fuze was designed to be used against opposing cannon by striking the equipment . Fuze employed was the James brass anvil percussion fuze, "West Point" two part fuze, Jones pg. 30 . Projectile measures: diameter 3.7in., length 6.75in. weight 10lbs , with sabot. Projectile is fired, lead sleeve sabot is missing, exposes the birdcage. West Point percussion fuze is missing. Projectile is disarmed, open fuze hole exposes empty interior. Recovered: Vicksburg, Mississippi. Ref: Dickey & George, Field Artillery (1993 Edition), pg. 189.

A0861...Rifled artillery projectile, James design, Federal manufacture, bursting shell, "common" (standard), open base with slots, lead and tin sleeve sabot, tie ring base, James percussion fuze, James 14 pounder rifle, 3.8in. Projectile was manufactured in the Federal arsenals following the invention of Charles James. The pattern utilized a hollow caged cavity (called a "birdcage") covered by a thin sleeve of lead , tin , and canvass, the thin sabot would expand into the rifling, and then be discharged after the projectile left the bore. This meant that there always be flying metal debris which could be a problem for forward troops . Four small holes were drilled into the base, these are thought to have been vent holes, however they are often lead filled. A ring around the base was originally installed to hold an iron cup, however it appears the iron cup may not have been used and the tie ring either was abandoned or used to secure the powder bag. Shell is common shot (does not contain balls) and with percussion fuze was designed to be used against opposing cannon by striking the equipment . Fuze employed was the James brass anvil percussion fuze, "West Point" two part fuze, Jones pg. 30 . Projectile measures: diameter 3.7in., length 6.75in. weight 10lbs, with sabot. Projectile is fired, lead sleeve sabot is missing, exposes the birdcage. West Point percussion fuze is replacement. Projectile is disarmed, open fuze hole exposes empty interior. Recovered: Vicksburg, Mississippi. Ref: Dickey & George, Field Artillery (1993 Edition), pg. 189.

A1560...Rifled artillery projectile, James design, Federal manufacture, bursting shell, "common" (standard), open base with slots, lead and tin sleeve sabot, tie ring base, James percussion fuze, James 14 pounder rifle, 3.8in. Projectile was manufactured in the Federal arsenals following the invention of Charles James. The pattern utilized a hollow caged cavity (called a "birdcage") covered by a thin sleeve of lead , tin , and canvass, the thin sabot would expand into the rifling, and then be discharged after the projectile left the bore. This meant that there always be flying metal debris which could be a problem for forward troops . Four small holes were drilled into the base, these are thought to have been vent holes, however they are often lead filled. A ring around the base was originally installed to hold an iron cup, however it appears the iron cup may not have been used and the tie ring either was abandoned or used to secure the powder bag. Shell is common shot (does not contain balls) and with percussion fuze was designed to be used against opposing cannon by striking the equipment . Fuze employed was the James brass anvil percussion fuze, "West Point" two part fuze, Jones pg. 30 . Projectile measures: diameter 3.7in., length 6.75in. weight 12.3lb., with sabot. Lead sleeve sabot is un-fired. West Point percussion fuze intact. Projectile is disarmed, drill hole through the bottom. Recovered: Shiloh, Tennessee. Ref: Dickey & George, Field Artillery (1993 Edition), pg. 189.

A1561. Rifled artillery projectile, James design, Federal manufacture, bursting shell, "common" (standard), open base with slots, lead and tin sleeve sabot, tie ring base, James percussion fuze, James 14 pounder rifle, 3.8in. Projectile was manufactured in the Federal arsenals following the invention of Charles James. The pattern utilized a hollow caged cavity (called a "birdcage") covered by a thin sleeve of lead , tin , and canvass, the thin sabot would expand into the rifling, and then be discharged after the projectile left the bore. This meant that there always be flying metal debris which could be a problem for forward troops . Four small holes were drilled into the base, these are thought to have been vent holes, however they are often lead filled. A ring around the base was originally installed to hold an iron cup, however it appears the iron cup may not have been used and the tie ring either was abandoned or used to secure the powder bag. Shell is common shot (does not contain balls) and with percussion fuze was designed to be used against opposing cannon by striking the equipment . Fuze employed was the James brass anvil percussion fuze, "West Point" two part fuze, Jones pg. 30 . Projectile measures: diameter 3.7in., length 6.75in. weight 10lbs , with sabot. Projectile is fired, lead sleeve sabot is missing, exposes the birdcage. West Point percussion fuze is missing. Projectile is disarmed, open fuze hole exposes empty interior. Recovered: Shiloh, Tennessee. Ref: Dickey & George, Field Artillery (1993 Edition), pg. 189.

A2537...Rifled artillery projectile, James design, Federal manufacture, bursting shell, "common" (standard), open base with slots, lead and tin sleeve sabot, tie ring base, James percussion fuze, James 14 pounder rifle, 3.8in. Projectile was manufactured in the Federal arsenals following the invention of Charles James. The pattern utilized a hollow caged cavity (called a "birdcage") covered by a thin sleeve of lead , tin , and canvass, the thin sabot would expand into the rifling, and then be discharged after the projectile left the bore. This meant that there always be flying metal debris which could be a problem for forward troops . Four small holes were drilled into the base, these are thought to have been vent holes, however they are often lead filled. A ring around the base was originally installed to hold an iron cup, however it appears the iron cup may not have been used and the tie ring either was abandoned or used to secure the powder bag. Shell is common shot (does not contain balls) and with percussion fuze was designed to be used against opposing cannon by striking the equipment . Fuze employed was the James brass anvil percussion fuze, "West Point" two part fuze, Jones pg. 30 . Projectile measures: diameter 3.7in., length 6.75in. weight 10lbs , with sabot. Projectile is fired, lead sleeve sabot is missing, exposes the birdcage. West Point percussion fuze is missing. Projectile is disarmed, open fuze hole exposes empty interior. Recovered: Shiloh, Tennessee. Ref: Dickey & George, Field Artillery (1993 Edition), pg. 189.

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.

and now a word from our sponsor.....

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.