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

Research Center: Artillery4634-Parrott

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.

A1579... Projectile measures: diameter 2.85in., length 8.25in. (excluding fuze), weight 8.3lb. Sabot is not fired and intact. Percussion fuze is fully intact. Metal is solid, minor areas of pitting. Projectile is disarmed: drill hole through the bottom. Recovered: not determined. Ref: Dickey & George, Field Artillery (1993 Edition), pg. 226.

A1863... Projectile measures: diameter 2.85in., length 8.25in. (excluding fuze), weight 9.4lb. Sabot is fired showing 3 lands and grooves. Percussion fuze is intact. Metal is solid. Projectile is disarmed: drill hole through the side. Recovered: North Carolina defenses, Sugar Loaf Island.

A2326... Projectile measures: diameter 2.85in., length 8.25in. (excluding fuze), weight 8lbs. Sabot is not fired and intact. Percussion fuze is fully intact. Metal is solid. Projectile is disarmed: drill hole through the bottom. Recovered: not determined.

A2251... Projectile measures: diameter 2.85in., length 8.25in. (excluding fuze), weight 8lbs. Sabot is fired showing 3 lands and grooves. Percussion fuze is partial, nipple on slider is visible. Metal is solid. Projectile is disarmed: drill hole through the side, not photographed. Recovered: Richmond, Petersburg, Virginia campaign.

A2317... Projectile measures: diameter 2.85in., length 8.25in. (excluding fuze), weight 8lbs. Sabot is fired showing 3 lands and grooves. Percussion fuze is partial. Metal is solid. Projectile is disarmed: drill hole through the center of the fuze. Recovered: not determined.

A2365... Projectile measures: diameter 2.85in., length 8.25in. (excluding fuze), weight 8.2lbs. Sabot is not fired and intact. Percussion fuze is partial. Metal is solid. Projectile is disarmed: drill hole through the center of the fuze. Recovered: Richmond, Petersburg, Virginia campaign.

A2404... Projectile measures: diameter 2.85in., length 8.25in. (excluding fuze), weight 8.4lbs. Sabot is fired showing 3 lands and grooves. Percussion fuze is partial. Metal is solid. Projectile is disarmed: drill hole through the center of the fuze. Recovered: Spotsylvania Court House, Virginia.

A2611... Projectile measures: diameter 2.85in., length 8.25in. (excluding fuze), weight 7.9lbs. Sabot is not fired and intact. Percussion fuze is partial, nipple on slider is visible. Metal is solid, minor areas of pitting. Projectile is disarmed: drill hole through the side. Recovered: North Carolina defenses.

A2821... Projectile measures: diameter 2.85in., length 8.25in. (excluding fuze), weight 8.7lbs. Sabot is fired showing 3 lands and grooves. Percussion fuze is partial, nipple on slider is visible. Metal is solid. Projectile is disarmed: drill hole through the bottom. Recovered: not determined

A2924... Projectile measures: diameter 2.85in., length 8.25in. (excluding fuze), weight 9lbs. Sabot is fired showing 3 lands and grooves. Percussion fuze is partial. Metal is solid. Projectile is disarmed: drill hole through the center of the fuze. Recovered: Resaca Georgia.

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.

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