Confederate Adjutant General button	The Civil War Relicman, Harry Ridgeway
	Winchester, Virginia USA (changed hands 70 times in the Civil War!) I am a collector buying and selling authentic Civil War Relics
	This page updated   April 03, 2008

The Ridgeway Civil War reference archive 
Artillery shells, Archer (Confederate)

This is a sampling of relics collected by Harry Ridgeway over the years.  This archive record is for educational purposes only.  Some of the relics listed may be on display at the Old Court House Civil War Museum, Winchester Virginia, some are no longer owned by the author.  None of the items listed in this section are for sale, please refer to the separate sales catalog for items that are currently offered.

All artillery items listed  have been disarmed and rendered inert. 

A1530    Archer bolt, prototype pattern, lead band sabot, Confederate rifle, 3 in.

Distinctive pattern with short nose was early development. Lead band sabot secured by two grooves, there was a wooden ring placed around the bottom to cushion the sabot on firing. Sabot is generally thrown on firing. Fired example, sabot intact showing extensive rifling, excellent metal, minimum pitting. 
Recovered: Remington Va 
Diameter 2.9 inch, length 5.75 inch 
Ref: D & G pg. 74 

A1853    Archer bolt, lead band sabot, Confederate rifle, 3 in. 
 
Base has two deep grooves, but sabot was thrown most of the time. This bolt had little fire power so the use of them was discontinued fairly early in the war. Fired sabot shows multiple lands & grooves. 
Most Archers threw their sabot upon firing so seeing one with such visible rifling is quite unusual. Excellent metal quality minor pitting only. 
Recovered: Chancellorsville, Virginia 
Diameter 2.94 inch, length 6 inch 
Ref: D & G pg. 78 

A1526    Archer shell, lead band sabot, wood fuse, no flame groove, Confederate rifle, 3 in. 

Base has two deep grooves to secure the sabot, but sabot was thrown most of the time. Shell was cast for wood fuse, flame groove running the exterior was a later pattern to remedy the problem of the fuse being sealed off and failing to ignite. Sabot is missing as typical, wood fuse missing, metal quality excellent, minor pitting only. 
Recovered: Shiloh, Tennessee 
Diameter 2.94 inch, length 6 inch 
Ref: D & G pg. 81 variant 

A0027    Archer bolt long sabot pattern, Confederate rifle, 3.3 in.

These are sometimes referred to as "Shiloh Archers" because that is where t hey are usually found. Sabot is unusually long and heavy, base is flat, this is early pattern. 
Unfired sabot intact, strong metal light pitting. 
Recovered: Shiloh Tennessee 
Diameter 3.2 inch, length 6.6 inch 
Ref: D & G pg. 85 

A1855    Archer shell, tie ring base, lead band sabot, wood fuse, Confederate rifle, 3.3 in. 

Base has two deep grooves plus tie ring on the bottom, flame grooves, lead band sabot was thrown most of the time, cast for a wood fuse. Sabot is missing as usual, wood fuse missing, 
Metal quality good, minor pitting. 
Recovered: not known 
Diameter 3.25 inch, length 5.25 inch 
Ref: D & G pg. 86