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 Archive 
Artillery shells, Parrott (Federal)
Field caliber, up to 20 pounder

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. 

A1861    Parrott flat top bolt "Read / Parrott" wrought iron sabot, Parrott 10 pounder rifle, 2.9 in. 

The idea of a tapered ring iron sabot was developed jointly by Read and Parrott, this Federal version is thick. A bolt this small was primarily used against opposing cannon, its use was limited. Sabot is pre-rifled with three flanges. 
Sabot intact, metal excellent minor pitting only, relatively rare shell, casting shows several flaws! 
Diameter 2.85 inch, length 6.6 inch 
Recovered Vicksburg, Miss 
Ref: D & G pg. 215 

A1493      Parrott shell, "Read / Parrott" wrought iron sabot, wood time fuse, Parrott 10 pounder rifle, 2.9 in. 

Called "Read Parrott" because it utilized the wrought iron sabot developed before the war jointly by Read and Parrott, the sabot was pre-rifled with three flanges, because it was too heavy to take the rifling otherwise. Some early versions were equipped with a wood fuse.
Wood fuse missing, sabot with three pre-rifled flanges intact, outstanding metal. Recovered: central Virginia
Diameter 2.85 in., length 8.5 in.
Ref: D & G pg. 216 (wood time fuse) 

A1571    Parrott shell, "Read / Parrott" wrought iron sabot, Parrott time fuse, Parrott 10 pounder rifle, 2.9 in.
 
Called "Read Parrott" because it utilized the wrought iron sabot developed before the war jointly by Read and Parrott, the sabot was pre-rifled with three flanges, because it was too heavy to take the rifling otherwise. If equipped with a time fuse, the round will usually be a "case shot" , intended to go against troops in open field formation, the shell will generally be filled with balls. Parrott zinc time fuse, pattern with rounded flange. The lip was a late war innovation to prevent gas leaks around the fuse causing premature detonations. The nose of this early designed shell was milled flat to accommodate this fuse. (Jones pg. 77 upper left) 
Zinc percussion fuse intact with original cork washer, fuse is removable, sabot with three pre-rifled flanges intact, outstanding metal. Shell weighs 10 pounds and is full of case shot balls. 
Recovered: nondug stocks, probably Bannerman. 
Diameter 2.85 inch, length 8.5 inch 
Ref: D & G pg. 216 (Zinc time fuse, "case shot" shell) 

A1572    Parrott shell, "Read / Parrott" wrought iron sabot, Parrott time fuse, Parrott 10 pounder rifle, 2.9 in. 

Called "Read Parrott" because it utilized the wrought iron sabot developed before the war jointly by Read and Parrott, the sabot was pre-rifled with three flanges, because it was too heavy to take the rifling otherwise. If equipped with a time fuse, the round will usually be a "case shot" , intended to go against troops in open field formation, the shell will generally be filled with balls. Parrott zinc time fuse, early pattern no flanges. The lip of the fuse hole is sharp. (Jones pg. 76) 
Zinc time fuse is partial, sabot with three pre-rifled flanges intact, outstanding metal. Shell weighs 9 pounds, is full of case shot balls. 
Recovered: Vicksburg campaign 
Diameter 2.85 inch, length 8.5 inch 
Ref: D & G pg. 216 (Zinc time fuse, "case shot" shell) 

A1866    Parrott shell "Read / Parrott" wrought iron sabot, Schenkl percussion fuse, Parrott 10 pounder rifle, 2.9 in. 

Called "Read Parrott" because it utilized the wrought iron sabot developed before the war jointly by Read and Parrott, the sabot was pre-rifled with three flanges, because it was too heavy to take the rifling otherwise. If equipped with a percussion fuse, the round will usually be a "common" or standard round, intended to go against opposing cannon by striking them, the shell will not be filled with balls. This one is equipped with a Schenkl percussion fuse, this fuse rarely used for this shell, (Jones pg. 98) 
Schenkl fuse intact but not set for firing, sabot with three pre-rifled flanges intact, strong metal, light pitting, shell weighs 9 pounds, could be either case shot or common. 
Recovered: not known 
Diameter 2.85 inch, length 8.5 inch 
Ref: D & G pg. 216 (Schenkl percussion fuse) 

A1868    Parrott flat top bolt "Read / Parrott" wrought iron sabot, Parrott 20 pounder rifle, 3.67 in. 
 
The idea of a tapered ring iron sabot was developed jointly by Read and Parrott, this Federal version is thick. These bolts were used against opposing cannon. Sabot is pre-rifled with 5 flanges. 
Fired sabot shows 5 lands & grooves, metal solid light pitting. 
Recovered: Petersburg, Va 
Diameter 3.62 inch, length 8.0 inch 
Ref: D & G pg. 218 

A1583    Parrott shell, "Read / Parrott" wrought iron sabot, Parrott time fuse, Parrott 20 pounder rifle, 3.67 in. 

Called "Read Parrott" because it utilized the wrought iron sabot developed before the war jointly by Read and Parrott, the sabot was pre-rifled with five flanges, because it was too heavy to take the rifling otherwise. This short pattern, when equipped with a time fuse will usually be a "case shot" , intended to go against troops in open field formation, the shell will generally be filled with balls. Parrott zinc time fuse, early pattern no flanges. The lip of the fuse hole is sharp. (Jones pg. 76) 
Zinc time fuse is partial, sabot with five pre-rifled flanges intact, metal strong, light pitting. Shell weighs 18 pounds and is full of case shot balls. 
Recovered: Port Hudson, LA 
Diameter 3.6 in., length 9.25 in. 
Ref: D & G pg. 219 (Zinc time fuse, short "case shot" shell) 

A1587    Parrott shell, "Read / Parrott" wrought iron sabot, Parrott percussion fuse, Parrott 20 pounder rifle, 3.67 in.  

Called "Read Parrott" because it utilized the wrought iron sabot developed before the war jointly by Read and Parrott, the sabot was pre-rifled with five flanges, because it was too heavy to take the rifling otherwise. If equipped with a percussion fuse, the round will usually be a "common" or standard round, intended to go against opposing cannon by striking them, the shell will not be filled with balls. Parrott zinc two part percussion fuse, "West Point" style, (Jones pg. 79) 
Zinc percussion fuse is intact, pre-rifled sabot intact with five flanges, metal strong light pitting, Shell weighs 17 pounds and does not have balls. 
Recovered: Port Hudson, LA 
Diameter 3.62 inches, 10.25 inch length 
Ref: D & G pg. 219 (zinc percussion fuse, long "common" shell) 

A1591    Parrott shell, "Read / Parrott" wrought iron sabot, Schenkl percussion fuse, Parrott 20 pounder rifle, 3.67 in. 

Called "Read Parrott" because it utilized the wrought iron sabot developed before the war jointly by Read and Parrott, the sabot was pre-rifled with five flanges, because it was too heavy to take the rifling otherwise. If equipped with a percussion fuse, the round will usually be a "common" or standard round, intended to go against opposing cannon by striking them, the shell will not be filled with balls. This one is equipped with a Schenkl percussion fuse, this fuse rarely used for this shell, (Jones pg. 98) 
Schenkl percussion fuse is intact, pre-rifled sabot intact with five flanges, metal strong light pitting, Shell weighs 16 pounds and does not have balls. 
Recovered: Port Hudson, LA 
Diameter 3.62 in., length 10.25 in.
Ref: D & G pg. 219 (Schenkl percussion fuse, long "common" shell) 

A1578    Parrott shell, Type III brass ring sabot, Parrott percussion fuse, Parrott 10 pounder rifle, 2.9 in. 

The third development of the sabot, type III, was introduction of this narrow brass ring, softer than wrought iron and thinner than the high band, this took the rifling nicely. If equipped with a percussion fuse, the round will usually be a "common" or standard round, intended to go against opposing cannon by striking them, the shell will not be filled with balls. Parrott zinc two part percussion fuse, "West Point" style, (Jones pg. 79) 
Fuse fully intact, sabot is unfired, metal is solid, moderate pitting. Shell weighs 8 pounds, does not contain balls. 
Diameter 2.86 inch, length 8.5 inch 
Recovered: not known 
Ref: D & G pg. 226 (zinc percussion fuse, "common" shell) 

A1579    Parrott shell, Type III brass ring sabot, Parrott percussion fuse, Parrott 10 pounder rifle, 2.9 in. 
 
The third development of the sabot, type III, was introduction of this narrow brass ring, softer than wrought iron and thinner than the high band, this took the rifling nicely. If equipped with a percussion fuse, the round will usually be a "common" or standard round, intended to go against opposing cannon by striking them, the shell will not be filled with balls. Parrott zinc one part percussion fuse, "improved" design, this is variant with the rounded flange, (Jones pg. 82) 
Fuse intact, sabot is unfired, metal is solid, moderate pitting. Shell weighs 8 pounds, does not contain balls. 
Diameter 2.86 inch, length 8.5 inch 
Recovered: not known 
Ref: D & G pg. 226 (zinc percussion fuse, "common" shell) 

A1863    Parrott shell, Type III brass ring sabot, Parrott percussion fuse, Parrott 10 pounder rifle, 2.9 in. 
 
The third development of the sabot, type III, was introduction of this narrow brass ring, softer than wrought iron and thinner than the high band, this took the rifling nicely. If equipped with a percussion fuse, the round will usually be a "common" or standard round, intended to go against opposing cannon by striking them, the shell will not be filled with balls. Parrott zinc one part percussion fuse, "improved" design, (Jones pg. 81) 
Zinc percussion fuse intact, damaged from impact, fired sabot shows three lands and grooves, metal is outstanding. Shell weighs 9 pounds, may contain balls. 
Diameter 2.86 inch, length 8.5 inch 
Recovered: North Carolina defenses, Sugar Loaf Island 
Ref: D & G pg. 226 (zinc percussion fuse, "common" shell) 

A1864    Parrott shell, Type III brass ring sabot, Parrott time fuse, Parrott 10 pounder rifle, 2.9 in. 
 
The third development of the sabot, type III, was introduction of this narrow brass ring, softer than wrought iron and thinner than the high band, this took the rifling nicely. If equipped with a time fuse, the round will usually be a "case shot" , intended to go against troops in open field formation, the shell will generally be filled with balls. Parrott zinc time fuse, pattern with rounded flange. The lip was a late war innovation to prevent gas leaks around the fuse causing premature detonations. The nose of this shell was milled flat to accommodate this fuse. (Jones pg. 77 upper left)
Zinc time fuse intact and is removable, unfired sabot intact, metal is outstanding. Shell weighs 9 pounds, contains case shot balls which are loose inside 
Diameter 2.86 inch, length 8.5 inch 
Recovered: surplus stocks, probably Bannerman 
Ref: D & G pg. 226 (zinc time fuse, "case shot" shell) 

A1869    Parrott flat top bolt, Type III brass ring sabot, Parrott 20 pounder rifle, 3.67 in. 
 
The third development of the sabot, type III, was introduction of this narrow brass ring, softer than wrought iron and thinner than the high band, this took the rifling nicely. These bolts were used against enemy cannon. 
Fired sabot shows 5 lands & grooves, metal solid light pitting. 
Recovered: Secessionville, SC 
Diameter 3.62 inch, length 8.0 inch 
Ref: D & G pg. 229 

A1876    Parrott shell, Type III brass ring sabot, Parrott time fuse, Parrott 20 pounder rifle, 3.67 in. 

The third development of the sabot, type III, was introduction of this narrow brass ring, softer than wrought iron and thinner than the high band, this took the rifling nicely. If equipped with a time fuse, the round will usually be a "case shot" , intended to go against troops in open field formation, the shell will generally be filled with balls. Parrott zinc time fuse, pattern with rounded flange. The lip was a late war innovation to prevent gas leaks around the fuse causing premature detonations. The nose of this shell was milled flat to accommodate this fuse. (Jones pg. 77 upper left) 
Parrott zinc fuse is partial, fired sabot intact showing 5 lands and grooves, metal strong minor pitting. 
Recovered: not known 
Diameter 3.6 in., length 9.4 in. 
Ref: D & G pg. 231(zinc time fuse, short "case shot") 

A1872    Parrott shell, Type III brass ring sabot, Schenkl percussion fuse, Parrott 20 pounder rifle, 3.67 in. 
 
The third development of the sabot, type III, was introduction of this narrow brass ring, softer than wrought iron and thinner than the high band, this took the rifling nicely. If equipped with a percussion fuse, the round will usually be a "common" or standard round, intended to go against opposing cannon by striking them, the shell will not be filled with balls. This one is equipped with a Schenkl percussion fuse, this fuse rarely used for this shell, (Jones pg. 98) 
Schenkl fuse intact, unfired sabot intact, excellent metal minor pitting only. 
Recovered: not known 
Diameter 3.6 in., length 10.25 in. 
Ref: D & G pg. 232, (Schenkl fuse, long "common" shell) 

A1874    Parrott shell, Type III brass ring sabot, Parrott percussion fuse, Parrott 20 pounder rifle, 3.67 in. 

The third development of the sabot, type III, was introduction of this narrow brass ring, softer than wrought iron and thinner than the high band, this took the rifling nicely. If equipped with a percussion fuse, the round will usually be a "common" or standard round, intended to go against opposing cannon by striking them, the shell will not be filled with balls. Parrott zinc one part percussion fuse, "improved" design, (Jones pg. 81) 
Parrott zinc percussion fuse is partial, top missing exposing the slider, fired sabot intact showing 5 lands & grooves, small base chip shows the violence of firing, excellent metal minor pitting only. 
Recovered: not known 
Diameter 3.6 inch, length 10.25 inch 
Ref: D & G pg. 232 (zinc percussion fuse, long "common" shell) 

A1491     Parrott long shell, low band brass sabot Type III, Parrott zinc watercap fuse, Parrott 20 pounder rifle, 3.67 in.

This low band brass sabot was final evolution of Parrott sabots, long pattern Parrott was intended as "common" shell, containing explosive charge only, this one is equipped with the Parrott zinc fuse with brass watercap screwed inside. Lip from Parrott zinc fuse is missing, exposing the brass watercap, fired sabot intact showing 5 lands and grooves, metal is moderately pitted. 
Recovered: Potomac Creek, Va 
Diameter 3.6 inch, length 10.25 inch 
Ref: Dickey & George pg. 232, variant as to fuse     

A1875     Parrott shell, high brass band prototype sabot Parrott 20 pounder rifle, 3.67 in. 

This early high band sabot has no visible rabbets, and is short and thin. Expansion holes were cut into the base of the shell. The idea was that these small holes would encourage expansion of the sabot and this type of venting shows up in other early designs Threaded for time fuse, Parrott time fuse with rounded flange fits it. 
Shell is unfired, Parrott time fuse is removable, metal good light pitting.. 
Recovered: surplus stocks 
Diameter 3.6 inch, length 10.25 inch 
Ref:  sabot style shown for 30 pounder Bell pg. 278
Ref: D & G not listed

A1933    Parrott zinc watercap fuse 

The Navy watercap fuse employed a crooked channel so that the flame would travel faster than the water. The fuse consists of an outer threaded bushing, the fuse is threaded into the bushing, the watercap mechanism is threaded inside the fuse, so there are three sets of threads! Originally covered with a lead pull tab, this was removed before firing. This Parrott fuse is made of zinc. Fuse generally intended for large caliber Parrott shells fired from ships.
Threads clean, good display or can be used, inner watercap and lead cover intact
Length 3 in.,
Diameter 1.1 in. Flange diameter 1.3 in.
Ref: Jones Fuses pg.13  

A1973    Parrott time fuse, flat flange 

Zinc fuse, paper was ignited from firing, this flange or lip was added to prevent gas leaks around the fuse threads. Fuse has a flat squared flange and is marked "W" for West Point. Fuse generally intended for Parrotts, usually larger caliber.
Threads clean, good display or can be used.
Length 2.5 in. diameter 1.1 in., flange diameter 1.3 in.
Ref: Jones Fuses pg. 77 upper right.  

A1964    Parrott time fuse, long threaded pattern

Zinc Parrott time fuse was threaded the entire length and equipped with a flat flange. Fuse was intended generally for 20 and 30 pounder Parrotts.
Threads clean, good display or can be used.
Length 2.3 in., Diameter 1.1in. flange diameter 1.3 in.
Ref: Jones Fuses pg. 77 bottom 

A1991    Parrott percussion fuse, "West Point" style

This early two part Parrott percussion fuse involved a cap screwed onto the shell, with the slider inside working independently. The system did not work very well and Parrott quickly moved to the "improved " fuse which contained all the parts as a unit.
There are three types of heads, all have spanner holes:
Rounded top flanged head, tall head diameter 1.1 in., height .95 in.
Rounded top flanged head, short head diameter 1.1 in., height .75 in.
Rounded top, no flanges, tall head diameter 1.1 in., height .85 in
There are two types of sliders:
Base with flange, iron nipple, height 1.2 in.
Base with no flange, iron nipple, height .7 in.
Ref: Jones Fuse pg. 79 & 80.  

A1968    Parrott percussion fuse, improved one piece design

Zinc percussion fuse is actually at least three parts but traveled as a unit, consisting of outer sleeve with a flange with spanner holes, rounded cap with spanner holes, and inner slider. This was an improvement over the earlier "West Point" design with independent parts. This pattern, is the early pattern and threaded part of the length. Fuse generally intended for larger caliber Parrott shells.
Threads clean, good display or can be used.
Length 2.2 in. (plus cap), Diameter 1.1 in. Flange diameter 1.3 in.
Ref: Jones Fuses pg. 81  

A1969    Parrott percussion fuse, improved one piece design

Zinc percussion fuse is actually at least three parts but traveled as a unit, consisting of outer sleeve with a flange with spanner holes, rounded cap with spanner holes, and inner slider. This was an improvement over the earlier "West Point" design with independent parts. This pattern, is threaded the entire length. Fuse generally intended for larger caliber Parrott shells.
Threads clean, good display or can be used.
Length 2.2 in. (plus cap), Diameter 1.1 in. Flange diameter 1.3 in.
Ref: Jones Fuses pg. 84  

A1967    Parrott percussion fuse, improved one piece design

Zinc percussion fuse is actually at least three parts but traveled as a unit, consisting of outer sleeve with a flange with spanner holes, rounded cap with spanner holes, and inner slider. This was an improvement over the earlier "West Point" design with independent parts. This pattern, is threaded the entire length. Fuse generally intended for larger caliber Parrott shells.
Fuse is split, anvil cap and slider are fully intact and displayed.
Length 2.2 in. (plus cap), Diameter 1.1 in. Flange diameter 1.3 in.
Ref: Jones Fuses pg. 84