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, Schenkl (Federal)

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. 

A1840    Schenkl case shot shell, combination fuse, Ordnance rifle, 3 in.  
 
Nose on this Schenkl was rounded to carry case shot. Sabot was a papier-mache sleeve fitted around the rounded base. 
Schenkl combination fuse was an complicated contraption designed to ignite either by time or on impact. This "late" pattern has the percussion mechanism on the side of the fuse and is marked on top "10 SEC". (Jones pg.105) 
Unfired fuse is fully intact which is rare, metal solid with moderate pitting. 
Recovered: City Point Va ammo dump 
Diameter 2.94 inch, length 9 inch (excluding the fuse) 
Ref: D & G pg. 299 (late combination fuse)  

A1838    Schenkl "common" shell, Schenkl percussion fuse, Ordnance rifle, 3 in. 

Nose on this Schenkl is pointed, sabot was a papier-mache sleeve fitted around the rounded base, tail has 7 raised ribs. Shell is usually equipped with a percussion fuse, this is a "common" or standard round, intended to go against opposing cannon by striking them, the shell will not be filled with balls. 
Schenkl Percussion fuse is marked "JP SCHENKL / PAT OCT 16 1861 " (Jones pg. 98) 
Dated fuse is intact and is removable, marks crisp, outstanding metal, 
Recovered: Harpers Ferry, Va 
Diameter 2.9 inch, length 9.0 inch 
Ref: D & G pg. 300  

A1842     Schenkl short shell, 6 groove tail, Schenkl percussion fuse, Rifled 6 pounder smoothbore, 3.67 in. 

These short Schenkls were intended for the smoothbores converted to rifle. Sabot was a papier-mache sleeve fitted around the rounded base. Tail has six grooves. Generally utilized Schenkl percussion fuse, rounded flange, (Jones pg. 98) 
Schenkl percussion fuse fully intact, metal strong light pitting. 
Recovered: Port Hudson La 
Diameter 3.6 inches, length 8.75 inch 
Ref: Dickey & George pg. 307   

A1146     Schenkl short 6 ribbed shell, 20 pounder Parrott (3.67 in)  

If you like to do your own restorations here is your opportunity, shell is disarmed but not cleaned and coated.
Schenkl percussion fuse is fully intact, ribs are raised. 
Recovered: Port Hudson La 
Diameter 3.6 inches, length 8.75 inch 
Ref: Dickey & George pg. 308          Item in archive listing

A1843    Schenkl long shell, percussion fuse, Parrott 20 pounder rifle, 3.67 in. 
 
Unlike the 10 pounders, the shape of the 20 pounder shell is the same for case shot or "common". If equipped with the Schenkl percussion fuse, the round will be a "common" or standard round, intended to go against opposing cannon by striking them, the shell will not be filled with balls. 
Schenkl Percussion fuse is marked "JP SCHENKL / PAT OCT 16 1861" (Jones pg. 98) 
Schenkl percussion fuse is intact, nice example with marks, metal is moderately pitted. 
Recovered: Petersburg Va 
Diameter 3.6 inch, length 11.6 inch 
Ref: D & G pg. 309  

A1841    Schenkl shell, percussion fuse, Rifled boat howitzer, 3.4 in. 
 
This is the Navy version of the small caliber Schenkl, tapered cone has 6 grooves, used a papier-mache sleeve. 
Schenkl Percussion fuse is marked "JP SCHENKL / PAT OCT 16 1861 " Navy pattern (Jones pg. 102) 
Nondug example, fuse intact, with leather washer intact, and is removable, outstanding example minor pitting only. 
Recovered: surplus stocks 
Diameter 3.3 inch, length 9 inch (excluding fuse) 
Ref: D & G pg. 417  

A1609    Schenkl long shell, wood fuse, Parrott 30 pounder rifle, 4.2 in. 
 
This long pattern of Schenkl was used by the army, sabot was a papier-mache sleeve fitted around the base, tail has 6 raised ribs. 
Cast for a wood fuse 
Wood fuse is partial, metal strong with light pitting. 
Recovered: James River area 
Diameter 4.25 inch, length 12.5 inch 
Ref: Bell Heavy Ord, pg. 362 (wood fuse) 

A1844     Schenkl short shell, Schenkl percussion fuse, Dahlgren 30 pounder rifle, 4.4 in 

This pattern of Schenkl with its long tail and short nose, was field tested at Port Hudson, then rejected. Sabot was a papier-mache  sleeve fitted around the rounded base, tail has 12 grooves. 
Schenkl Percussion fuse is marked "JP SCHENKL / PAT OCT 16 1861 " Navy pattern (Jones pg.102), however some have army fuses. 
A relatively rare shell, fuse is intact, metal solid, light pitting. 
Recovered: Port Hudson La 
Diameter 4.38 inch, length 9.2 inch (excluding fuse) 
Ref: Bell Heavy Ord, pg. 364 

A1953    Schenkl percussion fuse, Army use for field projectiles. 

Brass fuse slider cap is slotted with a hole in the center. Distinguishing feature is rounded shoulder, no marks, 10 threads per inch. Fuse generally intended for early patterns of Dyer
Threads clean, good display or can be used.
Length 2.6 in., Diameter 1 in. Flange diameter 1.25 in.
Ref: Jones Fuses pg. 98 lower right  

A1742    Schenkl percussion fuse, Navy use for large shells 

Brass fuse slider cap is slotted with a hole in the center. Distinguishing feature is large head, small letters, 12 threads per inch. Fuse is stamped: "J.P. SCHENKL / PAT. OCT. 16 1861" Fuse generally intended for large caliber Parrott and Schenkl shells fired from ships. 
Threads clean, good display or can be used. 
Length 2.6 in., Diameter 1.1 in. Flange diameter 1.4 in. 
Ref: Jones Fuses pg. 102 (variant as to small hole in center) 

A1743    Schenkl percussion fuse, Navy use for large shells 
 
Brass fuse slider cap is slotted. Distinguishing feature is large head, small letters, 12 threads per inch. Fuse is stamped: "J.P. SCHENKL / PAT. OCT. 16 1861" Fuse generally intended for large caliber Parrott and Schenkl shells fired from ships. 
Threads clean, good display or can be used. 
Length 2.6 in., Diameter 1.1 in. Flange diameter 1.4 in. 
Ref: Jones Fuses pg. 102

A1947    Schenkl percussion fuse, Navy use for large shells 

Brass fuse slider cap is slotted with a hole in the center. Distinguishing feature is large head, large letters, 12 threads per inch. Fuse is stamped: "J.P. SCHENKL / PAT. OCT. 16 1861" Fuse generally intended for large caliber Parrott and Schenkl shells fired from ships.
Threads clean, good display or can be used, slider intact
Length 2.6 in., Diameter 1.1 in. Flange diameter 1.4 in.
Ref: Jones Fuses pg. 102 (small hole in center and large letters)  

A1943    Schenkl combination fuse, late pattern 

This complex fuse was designed to have it both ways. The section at the top rotated, exposing a channel along a diagonal line into the powder chamber. The top of the fuse was marked for the time, with the longer the channel the longer burn time. A striker with a percussion cap was on the top, designed to detonate upon impact, or if this failed, the time fuse would eventually detonate the shell. The top of the fuse is marked 10 seconds and the striker latch is on the side of the fuse, earlier pattern it was on top. Fuse generally intended for case shot 10 pounder Schenkl shells
Top and bottom section were found together but had been separated, some numbers are visible.
Length 3.5 in. (with cap), flange diameter 1.6 in. diameter 1.1 in.
Ref: Jones Fuses pg. 105