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


Civil War Artillery
by Harry Ridgeway


Research Center: Artillery5175-Read
Rifled artillery projectile, Read design, Confederate manufacture, bursting shell, long pattern with bourrelet rings, iron sabot, re-saboted by adding Mullane copper disc sabot with 3 studs in the sabot and flush mounted bolt, Confederate Navy watercap time fuze, Brooke rifle, 6.4 in.
Projectile was Confederate manufactured during the war probably employing John Read's design. This pattern utilized two bourrelet rings, as a labor saving device, only the rings had to be accurately machined, the rest could be left rough. The nose is relatively pointed, and the width of the bourrelet rings varies considerably, presumably this is operator variance in the finishing process. This shell started out as a long pattern Read, with iron sabot, Bell pg. 347. However the sabot performance was unsatisfactory, and a Mullane or Tennessee copper disc sabot was installed on this shell by affixing to the bottom scabbed over the iron sabot. Presumably there are studs cast onto the sabot, (type II) and inserted into the shell body, the studs are not visible from the exterior, so it is assumed that there are studs. The sabot is secured with a center bolt, typical of other sabots of this type. Fuze is Confederate Navy watercap, Jones pg. 19. Projectile measures: diameter 6.36in., length 12.5in. (excluding fuze), weight 64lbs.
Research Center: Artillery5175-Read, Ref: Bell Heavy Ordnance, pg. 421.

Details click: http://relicman.com/artillery/Artillery5175-Read.html.


A0285...

Projectile measures: diameter 6.36in., length 12.5in. (excludingfuze), weight 64lbs. Both sabots intact, and Confederate watercapfuze. Shell is disarmed by drill hole through the side.
Ref: Bell Heavy Ordnance, pg. 421, actual example photographed.


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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