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, Parrott design Research Center: Artillery4600-Parrott ,     Details click: http://relicman.com/artillery/Artillery4600-Parrott.html. |
| Rifled artillery projectile, Parrott design, Federal manufacture, solid bolt, flat top pattern, wrought iron sabot, Parrott 10 pounder rifle, 2.9in. Projectile was manufactured in the Federal arsenals following the prewar invention of Robert Parrott and John Read working together. The sabot system utilized was a wrought iron ring, referred to as the "Type I" sabot, rifling was precast with three flanges, because it was too stiff to take the rifling otherwise. 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 blunt, top is nearly flat. Bottom of shell usually shows a casting sprue which was rough milled, there will often be casting flaws near the base. Projectile measures: diameter 2.85in., length 6.6in., weight 10lbs. Research Center: Artillery4611-Parrott, Ref: Dickey & George, Field Artillery (1993 Edition), pg. 215.   Details click: http://relicman.com/artillery/Artillery4611-Parrott.html. |
| Rifled artillery projectile, Parrott design, Federal manufacture, bursting shell, "common" (standard) pattern, wrought iron sabot, Parrott percussion fuze West Point Style, Parrott 10 pounder rifle, 2.9in. Projectile was manufactured in the Federal arsenals following the prewar invention of Robert Parrott and John Read working together. The sabot system utilized was a wrought iron ring, referred to as the "Type I" sabot, rifling was precast with three flanges, because it was too stiff to take the rifling otherwise. Some of these shells were configured as case shot (approx 9.5lbs 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 Parrott zinc percussion fuze, "West Point" style two part fuze, Jones pg. 79, fuze hole will have a thin milled lip. Bottom of shell usually shows a casting sprue which was rough milled, there will often be casting flaws near the base. Projectile measures: diameter 2.85in., length 8.375in. (excluding fuze), weight 8lbs. to 9lbs. Research Center: Artillery4615-Parrott, Ref: Dickey & George, Field Artillery (1993 Edition), pg. 216.    Details click: http://relicman.com/artillery/Artillery4615-Parrott.html. |
| Rifled artillery projectile, Parrott design, Federal manufacture, bursting shell, "common" (standard) pattern, wrought iron sabot, Schenkl percussion fuze, Parrott 10 pounder rifle, 2.9in. Projectile was manufactured in the Federal arsenals following the prewar invention of Robert Parrott and John Read working together. The sabot system utilized was a wrought iron ring, referred to as the "Type I" sabot, rifling was precast with three flanges, because it was too stiff to take the rifling otherwise. Some of these shells were configured as case shot (approx 9.5lbs 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 Army percussion fuze , removable cap had a slider and percussion cap, head is 1.22in.or 1.25in., 10 threads per inch, marked "JP SCHENKL / PAT OCT 16 1861", Jones pg. 9 8 or 99. , top of the fuze hole is milled flat. Bottom of shell usually shows a casting sprue which was rough milled, there will often be casting flaws near the base. Projectile measures: diameter 2.85in., length 8. 375in. (excluding fuze), weight 8lbs. to 9lbs. Research Center: Artillery4616-Parrott, Ref: Dickey & George, Field Artillery (1993 Edition), pg. 216.    Details click: http://relicman.com/artillery/Artillery4616-Parrott.html. |
| Rifled artillery projectile, Parrott design, Federal manufacture, bursting shell, "case shot", lead balls packed in sulfur matrix, wrought iron sabot, Parrott time fuze without a flange, Parrott 10 pounder rifle, 2.9in. Projectile was manufactured in the Federal arsenals following the prewar invention of Robert Parrott and John Read working together. The sabot system utilized was a wrought iron ring, referred to as the "Type I" sabot, rifling was precast with three flanges, because it was too stiff to take the rifling otherwise. Some of these shells were configured as case shot (approx 9.5lbs 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. The lead balls are rough cast around .69 cal, packed in sulfur matrix near the top of the shell, powder packed in a long channel which expands near the bottom, on detonation the concentrated powder at the bottom was designed to burn the matrix and propel the balls and fragments forward. Fuze employed was a Parrott zinc time fuze, typically the pattern without a flange, Jones, Fuzes, pg. 76, edge of the fuze hole is milled thin. Bottom of shell usually shows a casting sprue which was rough milled, there will often be casting flaws near the base. Projectile measures: diameter 2.85in., length 8.375in. (excluding fuze), weight 9.5lbs. to 11lbs. Research Center: Artillery4617-Parrott, Ref: Dickey & George, Field Artillery (1993 Edition), pg. 216.    Details click: http://relicman.com/artillery/Artillery4617-Parrott.html. |
| Rifled artillery projectile, Parrott design, Federal manufacture, bursting shell, "case shot", wrought iron sabot not pre-rifled, Federal Bormann time fuze with wrench double slot and "US", Parrott 10 pounder rifle, 2.9in. Projectile was manufactured in the Federal arsenals following the prewar invention of Robert Parrott and John Read working together. The sabot system utilized was a wrought iron ring, referred to as the "Type I" sabot. Some of these shells were configured as case shot (approx 9.5lbs 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 Federal Bormann time fuze, 3/4 second starting time, double slot, "US" on the fuze may indicate Washington arsenal, Jones pg. 23 upper right. Bottom of shell usually shows a casting sprue which was rough milled, there will often be casting flaws near the base. Note that the wrought iron sabot on Parrott shells is normally pre-rifled, this because the sabot was otherwise too stiff to take the rifling. It appears that the sabots on this pattern may not have been pre-rifled, suggesting that this is early production and only a limited number were produced and used in the field, before moving to paper time fuzed shells with pre-rifled sabots. Projectile measures: diameter 2.85in., length 8.375in. (excluding fuze), weight 9.5lbs. to 11lbs. Research Center: Artillery4618-Parrott, Ref: Dickey & George, Field Artillery (1993 Edition), pg. 217.     Details click: http://relicman.com/artillery/Artillery4618-Parrott.html. |
| Rifled artillery projectile, Parrott design, Federal manufacture, bursting shell,"common" (standard), high band rabbeted brass band sabot, Parrott percussion fuze, Parrott 10 pounder rifle, 2.9in. Projectile was manufactured in the Federal arsenals following the invention of Robert Parrott. The sabot system utilized was a thin wide brass band secured to the base with rabbets, referred to as "type II", more flexible than the earlier wrought iron design. However performance was poor, the thin soft brass sabot either failed to take the rifling or had a tendency to separate on firing, resulting in shards of brass flying into the backs of the forward infantry. Use in smaller caliber ordnance was generally abandoned in favor of the thicker type III narrow band sabot. Some of these shells were configured as case shot (approx 9.5lbs 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 Parrott zinc percussion fuze, this one used the "improved" one part design, edge of the fuze hole is milled flat, Jones pg. 81. Bottom of shell usually shows a casting sprue which was rough milled. This is the early 2.9 inch pattern, (most are 3 inch). Projectile measures: diameter 2.85in., length 8.5in. (excluding fuze), weight 8lbs. to 9lbs. Research Center: Artillery4625-Parrott, Ref: Dickey & George, Field Artillery (1993 Edition), pg. 225.    Details click: http://relicman.com/artillery/Artillery4625-Parrott.html. |
| Rifled artillery projectile, Parrott design, Federal manufacture, bursting shell, "case shot", high band rabbeted brass band sabot, Parrott time fuze with a flange, Parrott 10 pounder rifle, 2.9in. Projectile was manufactured in the Federal arsenals following the invention of Robert Parrott. The sabot system utilized was a thin wide brass band secured to the base with rabbets, referred to as "type II", more flexible than the earlier wrought iron design. However performance was poor, the thin soft brass sabot either failed to take the rifling or had a tendency to separate on firing, resulting in shards of brass flying into the backs of the forward infantry. Use in smaller caliber ordnance was generally abandoned in favor of the thicker type III narrow band sabot. Some of these shells were configured as case shot (approx 9.5lbs 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 a Parrott zinc time fuze, typically the pattern with a rounded top and flange, an innovation to prevent gas leaks around the fuze causing premature detonations, Jones, Fuzes, pg. 77 upper left, edge of the fuze hole is milled flat. Bottom of shell usually shows a casting sprue which was rough milled. This is the early 2.9 inch pattern, (most are 3 inch). Projectile measures: diameter 2.85in., length 8.5in. (excluding fuze), weight 8lbs. to 9lbs. Research Center: Artillery4626-Parrott, Ref: Dickey & George, Field Artillery (1993 Edition), pg. 225.     Details click: http://relicman.com/artillery/Artillery4626-Parrott.html. |
| Rifled artillery projectile, Parrott design, Federal manufacture, bursting shell, high band rabbeted brass band sabot, Parrott threaded fuze, Parrott 10 pounder rifle, 2.9in. Projectile was manufactured in the Federal arsenals following the invention of Robert Parrott. The sabot system utilized was a thin wide brass band secured to the base with rabbets, referred to as "type II", more flexible than the earlier wrought iron design. However performance was poor, the thin soft brass sabot either failed to take the rifling or had a tendency to separate on firing, resulting in shards of brass flying into the backs of the forward infantry. Use in smaller caliber ordnance was generally abandoned in favor of the thicker type III narrow band sabot. Some of these shells were configured as case shot (approx 9.5lbs to 11lbs. with balls ), or as "common" (approx 8lbs. to 9lbs. without balls). This shell is empty and could have been either. Fuze employed was a Parrott threaded fuze, edge of the fuze hole is milled flat. Use of this shell was not popular, most were un-issued and in surplus stocks at the end of the war, the fuzes and powder were removed and the casings sold as scrap. Bottom of shell usually shows a casting sprue which will have been milled, marks on the base likely are inventory designations when used on monuments, eventually the government removed and disposed them. This is the early 2.9 inch pattern, (most are 3 inch). Projectile measures: diameter 2.85in., length 8.5in. (excluding fuze), weight 9lbs., empty. Research Center: Artillery4627-Parrott, Ref: Dickey & George, Field Artillery (1993 Edition), pg. 225.    Details click: http://relicman.com/artillery/Artillery4627-Parrott.html. |
| Rifled artillery projectile, Parrott design, Federal manufacture, bursting shell, high band rabbeted brass band sabot, Parrott threaded fuze, Ordnance rifle, 3in. Projectile was manufactured in the Federal arsenals following the invention of Robert Parrott. The sabot system utilized was a thin wide brass band secured to the base with rabbets, referred to as "type II", more flexible than the earlier wrought iron design. However performance was poor, the thin soft brass sabot either failed to take the rifling or had a tendency to separate on firing, resulting in shards of brass flying into the backs of the forward infantry. Use in smaller caliber ordnance was generally abandoned in favor of the thicker type III narrow band sabot. Some of these shells were configured as case shot (approx 9.5lbs to 11lbs. with balls ), or as "common" (approx 8lbs. to 9lbs. without balls). This shell is empty and could have been either. Fuze employed was a Parrott threaded fuze, edge of the fuze hole is milled flat. Use of this shell was not popular, most were un-issued and in surplus stocks at the end of the war, the fuzes and powder were removed and the casings sold as scrap. Bottom of shell usually shows a casting sprue which will have been milled, marks on the base likely are inventory designations when used on monuments, eventually the government removed and disposed them. Projectile measures: diameter 2.94in., length 8.5in. (excluding fuze), weight 9lbs., empty. Research Center: Artillery4628-Parrott, Ref: Dickey & George, Field Artillery (1993 Edition), pg. 225.    Details click: http://relicman.com/artillery/Artillery4628-Parrott.html. |
| Rifled artillery projectile, Parrott design, Federal manufacture, solid bolt, "flat top" pattern, narrow ring brass sabot, Parrott 10 pounder rifle, 2.9in. Projectile was manufactured in the Federal arsenals following the invention of Robert Parrott. The sabot system utilized was a narrow brass ring secured to the base with internal rabbets, referred to as "type III", more flexible than wrought iron and more narrow than the high band, this took the rifling much better than the earlier designs. 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 blunt, top is nearly flat. Bottom of shell usually shows a casting sprue which was rough milled, there will often be casting flaws near the base. Projectile measures: diameter 2.85in., length 6.6in., weight 10lbs. Research Center: Artillery4631-Parrott, Ref: Dickey & George, Field Artillery (1993 Edition), pg. 222.    Details click: http://relicman.com/artillery/Artillery4631-Parrott.html. |
| Rifled artillery projectile, Parrott design, Federal manufacture, solid bolt, "chill nose" pattern, narrow ring brass sabot, Parrott 10 pounder rifle, 2.9in. Projectile was manufactured in the Federal arsenals following the invention of Robert Parrott. The sabot system utilized was a narrow brass ring secured to the base with internal rabbets, referred to as "type III", more flexible than wrought iron and more narrow than the high band, this took the rifling much better than the earlier designs. 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. The blunt nose of this bolt was hardened by "chilling", a process of rapid cooling after casting, and was tapered to a smaller diameter in order to concentrate the force on impact. Bottom of shell usually shows a casting sprue which was rough milled, there will often be casting flaws near the base. Projectile measures: diameter 2.85in., length 7in., weight 10lbs. Research Center: Artillery4632-Parrott, Ref: Dickey & George, Field Artillery (1993 Edition), pg. 223.     Details click: http://relicman.com/artillery/Artillery4632-Parrott.html. |
| Rifled artillery projectile, Parrott design, Federal manufacture, bursting shell, "common" (standard) pattern, narrow ring brass sabot, Parrott percussion fuze West Point Style, Parrott 10 pounder rifle, 2.9in. Projectile was manufactured in the Federal arsenals following the invention of Robert Parrott. The sabot system utilized was a narrow brass ring secured to the base with internal rabbets, referred to as "type III", more flexible than wrought iron and more narrow than the high band, this took the rifling much better than the earlier designs. Some of these shells were configured as case shot (approx 9.5lbs 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 Parrott zinc percussion fuze, "West Point" style two part fuze, Jones pg. 79, fuze hole will have a thin milled lip. Bottom of shell usually shows a casting sprue which was rough milled, there will often be casting flaws near the base. Projectile measures: diameter 2.85in., length 8.375in. (excluding fuze), weight 8lbs. to 9lbs. Research Center: Artillery4633-Parrott, Ref: Dickey & George, Field Artillery (1993 Edition), pg. 226.      Details click: http://relicman.com/artillery/Artillery4633-Parrott.html. |
| Rifled artillery projectile, Parrott design, Federal manufacture, bursting shell, "common" (standard) pattern, narrow ring brass sabot, Parrott "improved one part" percussion fuze, Parrott 10 pounder rifle, 2.9in. Projectile was manufactured in the Federal arsenals following the invention of Robert Parrott. The sabot system utilized was a narrow brass ring secured to the base with internal rabbets, referred to as "type III", more flexible than wrought iron and more narrow than the high band, this took the rifling much better than the earlier designs. Some of these shells were configured as case shot (approx 9.5lbs 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 Parrott zinc "improved" one part design, with a flange, Jones, Fuzes, pg. 81, edge of the fuze hole is milled flat. Bottom of shell usually shows a casting sprue which was rough milled, there will often be casting flaws near the base. Projectile measures: diameter 2.85in., length 8.375in. (excluding fuze), weight 8lbs. to 9lbs. Research Center: Artillery4634-Parrott, Ref: Dickey & George, Field Artillery (1993 Edition), pg. 226.     Details click: http://relicman.com/artillery/Artillery4634-Parrott.html. |
| Rifled artillery projectile, Parrott design, Federal manufacture, bursting shell, "common" (standard) pattern, narrow ring brass sabot, Schenkl percussion fuze, Parrott 10 pounder rifle, 2.9in. Projectile was manufactured in the Federal arsenals following the invention of Robert Parrott. The sabot system utilized was a narrow brass ring secured to the base with internal rabbets, referred to as "type III", more flexible than wrought iron and more narrow than the high band, this took the rifling much better than the earlier designs. Some of these shells were configured as case shot (approx 9.5lbs 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 Army percussion fuze, removable cap had a slider and percussion cap, head is 1.22in.or 1.25in., 10 threads per inch, marked "JP SCHENKL / PAT OCT 16 1861", Jones pg. 98 or 99., top of the fuze hole is milled flat. Bottom of shell usually shows a casting sprue which was rough milled, there will often be casting flaws near the base. Projectile measures: diameter 2.85in., length 8.375in. (excluding fuze), weight 8lbs. to 9lbs. Research Center: Artillery4635-Parrott, Ref: Dickey & George, Field Artillery (1993 Edition), pg. 226.     Details click: http://relicman.com/artillery/Artillery4635-Parrott.html. |
| Rifled artillery projectile, Parrott design, Federal manufacture, bursting shell, "case shot" lead balls packed in asphalt matrix, narrow ring brass sabot, Parrott time fuze with a flange, Parrott 10 pounder rifle, 2.9in. Projectile was manufactured in the Federal arsenals following the invention of Robert Parrott. The sabot system utilized was a narrow brass ring secured to the base with internal rabbets, referred to as "type III", more flexible than wrought iron and more narrow than the high band, this took the rifling much better than the earlier designs. Some of these shells were configured as case shot (approx 9.5lbs 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. The lead case shot balls are rough cast around .69 cal, packed in black asphalt matrix near the top of the shell, powder packed in a long channel which expands near the bottom, on detonation the concentrated powder at the bottom was designed to burn the matrix and propel the balls and fragments forward. Fuze employed was a a Parrott zinc time fuze, typically the pattern with a rounded top and flange, an innovation to prevent gas leaks around the fuze causing premature detonations, Jones, Fuzes, pg. 77 upper left, edge of the fuze hole is milled flat. Bottom of shell usually shows a casting sprue which was rough milled, there will often be casting flaws near the base. Projectile measures: diameter 2.85in., length 8.375in. (excluding fuze), weight 9.5lbs. to 11lbs. Research Center: Artillery4636-Parrott, Ref: Dickey & George, Field Artillery (1993 Edition), pg. 226.     Details click: http://relicman.com/artillery/Artillery4636-Parrott.html. |
A0200.18...Rifled artillery projectile, Parrott design, 2.9in and 3in., fragments   These are fragments from Parrott shells, base sections. Iron saboted Parrotts were thick and pre rifled for three grooves. The shells were poured from the bottom, air bubbles typically form around the base of almost all Parrotts, and the casting sprue in the middle will be milled. Recovered: Shenandoah Valley, Virginia campaigns, by Harry Ridgeway. Ridgeway collection, Old Court House Civil War Museum, Winchester, Virginia |
A0200.19...Rifled artillery projectile, 2.9in and 3in., fragments   Nose sections of 2.9in. and 3in. projectiles could be from Federal or Confederate shells. Parrott shells will often have a bottom lip to nest the fuze, but not all are configured this way. All of the examples above are threaded. Recovered: Shenandoah Valley, Virginia campaigns, by Harry Ridgeway. Ridgeway collection, Old Court House Civil War Museum, Winchester, Virginia |
A0200.20...Rifled artillery projectile, Parrott design, 2.9in and 3in., fragments   Nose sections of 2.9in. and 3in. projectiles could be from Federal or Confederate shells. Parrott shells will often have a bottom lip to nest the fuze, but not all are configured this way. Some of these fragments are wood fuzed and some are threaded. Recovered: Shenandoah Valley, Virginia campaigns, by Harry Ridgeway. Ridgeway collection, Old Court House Civil War Museum, Winchester, Virginia |
A0200.21...Rifled artillery projectile, Parrott design, 2.9in and 3in., fragments  Smooth side sections of 2.9in. and 3in. projectiles could be from Federal or Confederate shells. T Recovered: Shenandoah Valley, Virginia campaigns, by Harry Ridgeway. Ridgeway collection, Old Court House Civil War Museum, Winchester, Virginia |
A2324...Parrott 10 pounder, nose section with time fuze.   Large fragment of a Parrott 10 pounder, with zinc time fuze intact, shell shows definite indentation where it hit something very hard, case shots are imbedded inside the nose. |
A2202...Parrott 10 pounder, nose section with time fuze.   Large fragment of a Parrott 10 pounder, with zinc time fuze. |
A2204...Parrott 10 pounder, nose section with time fuze.   Large fragment of a Parrott 10 pounder, nose section with flanged zinc time fuze. |
A2230...Parrott 10 pounder, nose section with time fuze.   Large fragment of a Parrott 10 pounder, with zinc time fuze intact. |
A2352...Parrott 10 pounder, "case shot", wrought iron sabot.   Ground burst base and one side recovered, balls are still packed, great illustration of case shot. |
A2935...Parrott 10 pounder, West point percussion fuze, shell detonated while drilling, these are the frags.   |
| More Parrott design, PAGE 2. Research Center: Artillery4600-Parrott , Details click: http://relicman.com/artillery/Artillery4602-Parrott-Page2.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. |