A virtual examination of artifacts of the American Civil War
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Ridgeway Civil War Research Center, A virtual examination of artifacts of the American Civil War |
| Civil War Artillery | |
| by Harry Ridgeway |
| Rifled artillery projectile, Read design Research Center: Artillery5000-Read,     Details click: http://relicman.com/artillery/Artillery5000-Read.html. |
| Rifled artillery projectile, Read design, Confederate manufacture, bursting shell, pattern with smooth sides, copper ring sabot, wood time fuze, Confederate unknown rifle, 2.6in. Projectile was Confederate manufactured during the war. Read developed this copper sabot, it was more flexible than the earlier wrought iron sabot. A smooth sided long shell was produced by both sides, this Confederate version is distinguished by a lathe dimple in the base, a casting sprue on the nose, and the smooth sides were finished by turning on a lathe. Copper ring sabot is flush with the shell, seated in a deep groove well inside of the iron base, ring was cast thin leaving a small edge at the bottom. Fuze employed was a wood time fuze, Jones Fuzes pg. 2, fuze hole is smooth and tapered, the simple to make fuze could easily be hammered into place. Shell measures: diameter 2.6in., length 7.25in. (excluding fuze), weight 6.4lbs. Research Center: Artillery5015-Read, Ref: Dickey & George, Field Artillery (1993 Edition), pg. 237.    Details click: http://relicman.com/artillery/Artillery5015-Read.html. |
| Rifled artillery projectile, Read design, Confederate manufacture, solid bolt, pattern with rounded nose and bourrelet rings, thick copper ring sabot, Confederate rifle, 3in. Projectile was Confederate manufactured during the war employing John Read's design , probably at Selma Arsenal. This pattern utilized two bourreletrings, as a labor saving device, only the rings had to be accurately machined, the rest could be left rough. The nose is relatively rounded, and the width of the bourrelet rings varies considerably, presumably this is operator variance in the finishing process. A lathe dimple in the base, and a casting sprue on the nose areusually prominent. Read developed this copper ring sabot, it was more flexible than the earlier wrought iron sabot, sabot is tapered at the top and seated in a deep groove well inside of the iron base. Copper ring sabot was cast thick and not milled , this was entirely too stiff to take the rifling. Shell is rounded nose bolt with no explosive charge, for use against enemy cannon. Upper bourrelet ring is usually stamped "14", meaning is not known. Projectile measures: diameter 2.96in., length 6.0in. (excluding fuze), weight 8.2lb. Research Center: Artillery5021-Read, Ref: Dickey & George , Field Artillery (1993 Edition), pg. 252.    Details click: http://relicman.com/artillery/Artillery5021-Read.html. |
| Rifled artillery projectile, Read design, Confederate manufacture, solid bolt, short pattern with pointed nose bourrelet rings, copper ring sabot, Confederate rifle, 3in. Projectile was Confederate manufactured during the war employing John Read's design , probably at Selma Arsenal. This pattern utilized two bourreletrings, 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. The base is raised and milled to a bevel leaving a considerable depressed ring between the base and the sabot, there is no lathe dimple although this could have been milled out of the flat bottom. Read developed this copperring sabot, it was more flexible than the earlier wrought iron sabot, sabot istapered at the top and seated in a deep groove well inside of the iron base. Copper ring sabot was cast thin and is lightly milled. Shell is pointed nose bolt with no explosive charge, for use against enemy cannon. Projectile measures: diameter 2.95in., length 6.25in. (excluding fuze), weight 8.1lb. Research Center: Artillery5022-Read, Ref: Dickey & George, Field Artillery (1993 Edition), pg. 254.    Details click: http://relicman.com/artillery/Artillery5022-Read.html. |
| Rifled artillery projectile, Read design, Confederate manufacture, bursting shell, pattern with smooth sides long pattern, wrought iron sabot, rifling precast, wood time fuze, Confederate rifle, 2.9in. Projectile was Confederate manufactured following the prewar invention of Robert Parrott and John Read working together. The sabot system utilized was a wrought iron ring, the Confederate version developed by Read is generally thinner than the Federal pattern. Both sides produced a smooth sided long shell, this Confederate version is distinguished by a lathe dimple in the base, a casting sprue on the nose, and the smooth sides were finished by turning on a lathe. The wrought iron sabot did not take the rifling satisfactorily, three lands and grooves were precast into this sabot . Fuze employed was a wood time fuze, Jones Fuzes pg. 2, fuze hole is smooth and tapered, the simple to make fuze could easily be hammered intoplace. Projectile measures: diameter 2.86in., length 8.75in., weight 8lbs. Research Center: Artillery5031-Read, Ref: Dickey & George, Field Artillery (1993 Edition), pg. 243.  Details click: http://relicman.com/artillery/Artillery5031-Read.html. |
| Rifled artillery projectile, Read design, Confederate manufacture, bursting shell, pattern with smooth sides long pattern, wrought iron sabot, wood time fuze, Confederate rifle, 2.9in. Projectile was Confederate manufactured following the prewar invention of Robert Parrott and John Read working together. The sabot system utilized was a wrought iron ring, the Confederate version developed by Read is generally thinner than the Federal pattern. Both sides produced a smooth sided long shell, this Confederate version is distinguished by a lathe dimple in the base, a casting sprue on the nose, and the smooth sides were finished by turning on a lathe. Fuze employed was a wood time fuze, Jones Fuzes pg. 2, fuze hole is smooth and tapered, the simple to make fuze could easily be hammered intoplace. Projectile measures: diameter 2.86in., length 8.75in., weight 8lbs. Research Center: Artillery5032-Read, Ref: Dickey & George, Field Artillery (1993 Edition), pg. 243.    Details click: http://relicman.com/artillery/Artillery5032-Read.html. |
| Rifled artillery projectile, Read design, Confederate manufacture, bursting shell, pattern with smooth sides long pattern, grooved ring around the base, wrought iron sabot, wood time fuze, Confederate rifle, 2.9in. Projectile was Confederate manufactured following the prewar invention of Robert Parrott and John Read working together. The sabot system utilized was a wrought iron ring, the Confederate version developed by Read is generally thinner than the Federal pattern. Both sides produced a smooth sided long shell, this Confederate version is distinguished by a lathe dimple in the base, a casting sprue on the nose, and the smooth sides were finished by turning on a lathe. Fuze employed was a wood time fuze, Jones Fuzes pg. 2, fuze hole is smooth and tapered, the simple to make fuze could easily be hammered intoplace. This pattern shows a grooved ring around the base, possibly used to seal the chamber with a grease or rope ring. Projectile measures: diameter 2.86in., length 8.5in. (excluding fuze), weight 7.9lbs. Research Center: Artillery5033-Read, Ref: Dickey & George, Field Artillery (1993 Edition), pg. 246.    Details click: http://relicman.com/artillery/Artillery5033-Read.html. |
| Rifled artillery projectile, Read design, Confederate manufacture, bursting shell, long pattern with smooth sides, wrought iron sabot, rifling precast, copper time fuze, Confederate rifle, 2.9in. Projectile was Confederate manufactured following the prewarinvention of Robert Parrott and John Read working together. The sabot system utilized was a wroughtiron ring, the Confederate version developed by Read is generally thinner than the Federal pattern. Both sides produced a smooth sided long shell, this Confederate version is distinguished by a lathe dimple inthe base, a casting sprue on the nose, and the smooth sides were finished byturning on a lathe. Although the wrought iron sabot was cast much thinner than theFederal counterpart, it still did not take the rifling satisfactorily, threelands and grooves were precast into this sabot . Fuze employed was a Confederate copper time fuze, two spanner holes, Jones pg. 41. Projectile measures: diameter 2.86in., length 8.75in. (excluding the fuze), weight 9lbs. Research Center: Artillery5034-Read, Ref: Dickey & George, Field Artillery (1993 Edition), pg. 243.     Details click: http://relicman.com/artillery/Artillery5034-Read.html. |
| Rifled artillery projectile, Read design, Confederate manufacture, bursting shell, long pattern with smooth sides, wrought iron sabot , rifling not precast, copper time fuze, Confederate rifle, 2.9in. Projectile was Confederate manufactured following the prewar invention of Robert Parrott and John Read working together. The sabot system utilized was a wrought iron ring, the Confederate version developed by Read is generally thinner than the Federal pattern. Both sides produced a smooth sided long shell, this Confederate version is distinguished by a lathe dimple in the base, a casting sprue on the nose, and the smooth sides were finished by turning on a lathe. The wrought iron sabot on this model was cast much thinner than earlier versions, consequently the rifling on this sabot was not precast. Fuze employed was a Confederate copper time fuze, two spanner holes, Jones pg. 41. Projectile measures: diameter 2.86in., length 8.75in. (excluding the fuze), weight 9lbs. Research Center: Artillery5035-Read, Ref: Dickey & George, Field Artillery (1993 Edition), pg. 243.    Details click: http://relicman.com/artillery/Artillery5035-Read.html. |
| Rifled artillery projectile, Read design, Confederate manufacture Tredegar, bursting shell, long pattern with bourrelet rings, wrought iron sabot, rifling not precast, copper time fuze, Confederate rifle, 2.9in. Projectile was Confederate manufactured, this one is believed to have been produced at Tredegar, Richmond Virginia. Read and Parrott collaborated before the war to develop a projectile employing the wrought iron sabot. A smooth sided long shell was produced by both sides, this Confederate version is distinguished by a lathe dimple in the base, and a casting sprue on the nose . The shell was lathe turned, a weak bourrelet ring is left at the top and the bottom. The wrought iron sabot on this model was cast much thinner than earlier versions, consequently the rifling on this sabot was not precast. Fuze employed was a Confederate copper time fuze, two spanner holes, Jones pg. 41. Projectile measures: diameter 2.86in., length 8.75in. (excluding the fuze), weight 9lbs. Research Center: Artillery5036-Read, Ref: Dickey & George Field Artillery (1993 Edition), pg. 247.    Details click: http://relicman.com/artillery/Artillery5036-Read.html. |
| Rifled artillery projectile, Read design, Confederate manufacture, bursting shell, long pattern with smooth sides, wrought iron sabot is thick, rifling is not precast, copper time fuze, Confederate rifle 3in. The sabot on this shell is unusually thick and is very similar to the Parrott wrought iron sabots. Shell is slightly shorter than most Read shells, and is more typical of the height of the Parrott shells. However, shell appears to be Confederate manufacture, evidenced by the prominent lathe dimple in the base and Confederate time fuze. It is a close copy to the Federal Parrott and likely was an attempt to was simulate the successful Federal design.Note that although the sabot is thick, too thick to take the rifling, rifling grooves were not precast into this model. This pattern was likely made early in the conflict , probably judged to be inadequate and thus limited in productionand held in stock, but issued late when supplies became desperate. Projectile measures: diameter 2.94in. height 8.5in (excluding fuze), weight 8lbs (metal is light). Research Center: Artillery5037-Read, Ref: Dickey & George, Field Artillery (1993 Edition), pg. 243.    Details click: http://relicman.com/artillery/Artillery5037-Read.html. |
| Rifled artillery projectile, Parrott design, Confederate manufacture or modified, bursting shell, pattern with smooth sides, wrought iron sabot, Parrott time fuze has been replaced with a Confederate copper time fuze, Parrott rifle 2.9in. This appears to be a Federal Parrott apparently captured by Confederates, there is no lathe dimple in the base and sabot is thick and pre rifled typical of the Parrott patterns. An attempt was made to insert a Confederate time fuze, but the thread count on the Confederate fuze is different than on the Parrott fuzes, consequently the fuze did not fit and it is screwed in only part of the way. Projectilemeasures: diameter 2.85in., height 8.5in. (excluding fuze), weight 8lbs. (metal is light). Research Center: Artillery5038-Read, Ref: Dickey & George, Field Artillery (1993 Edition), not listed.    Details click: http://relicman.com/artillery/Artillery5038-Read.html. |
| Rifled artillery projectile, Read design, Confederate manufacture, bursting shell, long pattern with smooth sides and milled sleeve, lead plug side loader, wrought iron sabot, rifling is not precast, copper time fuze, Confederate rifle, 2.9in. Projectile was Confederate manufactured, this is a late war "side loader". Read and Parrott collaborated before the war to develop a projectile employing the wrought iron sabot. A smooth sided long shell was produced by both sides, this Confederate version is distinguished by a lathe dimple in the base, and a casting sprue on the nose. The shell was lathe turned, a weak bourrelet ring is left at the top and the bottom. The wrought iron sabot on this model was cast much thinner than earlier versions, consequently the rifling on this sabot was not precast. This pattern employed a side plug as a way to load iron balls into the shell. Conventional case shot shells were usually filled with soft matrix and lead balls, an auger would be used to drill through the lead balls and the matrix to create a void for the powder train. Because of a shortage of lead, theConfederates substituted iron balls. To drill through a mixture of matrixand iron balls would be difficult, so a sizing rod would be inserted through thefuze hole to reserve a void for the powder, the iron balls and matrix would beloaded through a side hole, once loaded the side hole would be plugged, thesizing rod would be removed, and the powder train would be filled. Fuze employed was a Confederate copper timefuze, two spanner holes, Jones pg. 41. Projectile measures: diameter 2.86in., length 8.4in. (excluding fuze), weight 10.3lb. Research Center: Artillery5039-Read, Ref: Dickey & George, Field Artillery (1993 Edition), pg. 248.     Details click: http://relicman.com/artillery/Artillery5039-Read.html. |
| Rifled artillery projectile, Read design, Confederate manufacture Marshall Texas, bursting shell, short pattern with smooth sides, notched copper disc & band sabot, wood fuze, Confederate rifle, 3in. Projectile was Confederate manufactured during the war, this was manufactured at Marshall Texas. This pattern likely was derived from Read's design but was apparentlydeveloped independently at the arsenal at Marshall Texas. The copper sabotis very thin, and is a disc with 5 notches, integral with a brass band. The disc portion is held onto a thin knob on the base of the shell, threenotches were cut into the the outer band to allow flame to pass. Thesmooth body is also shorter than that used by Read and is also used on a similarpattern derived from Mullane. Fuze employed was a wood time fuze, Jones Fuzes pg. 2, fuze hole is smooth and tapered, the simple to make fuze could easily be hammered into place. Projectile measures: diameter 2.94in., length 7.75in. (excluding fuze), weight 7.4lbs. Research Center: Artillery5040-Read, Ref: Dickey & George, Field Artillery (1993 Edition), pg. 195.    Details click: http://relicman.com/artillery/Artillery5040-Read.html. |
| Rifled artillery projectile, Read design, Confederate manufacture, bursting shell, long pattern with smooth sides, copper ring sabot thin cast and not pre-rifled, wood time fuze, Confederate rifle, 2.9in. Projectile was Confederate manufactured during the war. Read developed this copper sabot, it was more flexiblethan the earlier wrought iron sabot. A smooth sided long shell was produced by both sides, this Confederate version is distinguished by a lathe dimple in the base, a casting sprue on the nose, and the smooth sides were finished by turning on a lathe. Copper ring sabot is tapered at the top and seated in a deep groove well inside of the iron base, ring was cast thin and not milled and not pre-rifled. Fuze employed was a wood time fuze, Jones Fuzes pg. 2, fuze hole is smooth and tapered,the simple to make fuze could easily be hammered intoplace. Projectile measures: diameter 2.86in., length 8.5in., weight 9.5lbs. Research Center: Artillery5041-Read, Ref: Dickey & George, Field Artillery (1993 Edition), pg. 243.    Details click: http://relicman.com/artillery/Artillery5041-Read.html. |
| Rifled artillery projectile, Read design, Confederate manufacture, bursting shell, long pattern with smooth sides, copper ring sabot thick cast pre-rifled and milled, wood time fuze, Confederate rifle, 2.9in. Projectile was Confederate manufactured during the war. Read developed this copper sabot, it was more flexiblethan the earlier wrought iron sabot. A smooth sided long shell was produced by both sides, this Confederate version is distinguished by a lathe dimple in the base, a casting sprue on the nose, and the smooth sides were finished by turning on a lathe. Copper ring sabot is tapered at the top and seated in a deep groove well inside of the iron base, ring was cast thick with pre-rifling, three lands and grooves for a Parrott type rifle, interior of sabot was milled to a thin edge. Fuze employed was a wood time fuze, Jones Fuzes pg. 2, fuze hole is smooth and tapered, the simple to make fuze could easily be hammered into place. Projectile measures: diameter 2.86in., length 8.5in., weight 9.5lbs. Research Center: Artillery5042-Read, Ref: Dickey & George, Field Artillery (1993 Edition), pg. 243.    Details click: http://relicman.com/artillery/Artillery5042-Read.html. |
| Rifled artillery projectile, Read design, Confederate manufacture, bursting shell, long pattern with smooth sides milled sleeve, copper ring sabot thick cast pre-rifled and milled, wood time fuze, Confederate rifle, 2.9in. Projectile was Confederate manufactured during thewar. Read developed this copper ring sabot, it was more flexible than the earlier wrought iron sabot. A smooth sided long shell was produced by both sides, this Confederate version is distinguished by a lathe dimple in the base, and a casting sprue on the nose . The shell was lathe turned, a slightly deeper cut was made at the top and the bottom leaving the impression of a "sleeve" the depth and dimension will vary considerably and is likely the result of operator variation in the finishing process. Copper ring sabot istapered at the top and seated in a deep groove well inside of the iron base,ring was cast thick with pre-rifling, three lands and grooves for a Parrott typerifle, interior of sabot was milled to a thin edge. Fuze hole is smooth andtapered, to take a wood time fuze. Projectile measures: diameter 2.83in., length 8.5in. (excluding fuze), weight 7.7lbs. Research Center: Artillery5043-Read, Ref: Dickey & George, Field Artillery (1993 Edition), pg. 248.    Details click: http://relicman.com/artillery/Artillery5043-Read.html. |
| Rifled artillery projectile, Read design, Confederate manufacture, bursting shell, long pattern with smooth sides, copper ring sabot thick cast pre-rifled and milled, copper time fuze, Confederate rifle, 2.9in. Projectile was Confederate manufactured during the war. Read developed this copper ring sabot, it was more flexible than the earlier wrought iron sabot. A smooth sided long shell was produced by both sides, this Confederate version is distinguished by a lathe dimple in the base, and a casting sprue on the nose. Copper ring sabot istapered at the top and seated in a deep groove well inside of the iron base,ring was cast thick with pre-rifling, three lands and grooves for a Parrott typerifle, interior of sabot was milled to a thin edge. This long pattern has smooth sides. Fuze employed was a Confederate copper time fuze, two spanner holes, Jones pg. 41. Projectile measures: diameter 2.85in., length 8.5in. (excluding fuze), weight8.8lbs. Research Center: Artillery5044-Read, Ref: Dickey & George, Field Artillery (1993 Edition), pg. 243.     Details click: http://relicman.com/artillery/Artillery5044-Read.html. |
| Rifled artillery projectile, Read design, Confederate manufacture, bursting shell, short pattern with smooth tapered sides, copper ring sabot, wood time fuze, Confederate rifle, 3in. Projectile was Confederate manufactured during the war. Read developed this copper ring sabot, it was more flexible than the earlier wrought iron sabot. A smooth sided long shell was produced by both sides, this Confederate version is distinguished by a lathe dimple in the base, and a casting sprue on the nose. Copper ring sabot is tapered at the top and seated in a deep groove well inside of the iron base, ring was cast thin and not milled. This short pattern has smooth sidesand is tapered the entire length. maximum diameter is at the sabot andthe shell gets thinner as it rises to the nose. This unusualfeature may have been an attempt to minimize milling of the shell body,but it is doubtful this would have nested properly in a cannon and thislikely explains the limited use made of this pattern. Fuze hole is smooth and tapered, to take a wood time fuze. Projectile measures: diameter 2.96in., length 7.4in. (excluding fuze), weight 7.4lbs. Research Center: Artillery5045-Read, Ref: Dickey & George Field Artillery (1993 Edition), pg. 256.   Details click: http://relicman.com/artillery/Artillery5045-Read.html. |
| Rifled artillery projectile, Read design, Confederate manufacture, bursting shell, short pattern with bourreleted rings, copper ring sabot cast thick and milled, copper time fuze, Confederate rifle, 3in. Projectile was Confederate manufactured during the war, employing 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. A lathe dimple in the base, and a casting sprue on the nose are usually prominent. Read developed this copperring sabot, it was more flexible than the earlier wrought iron sabot, sabot istapered at the top and seated in a deep groove well inside of the iron base,ring was cast thick, then milled to a thin edge at the bottom. Fuze employed was a Confederate copper time fuze, two spanner holes, Jones pg.41. Projectile measures: diameter 2.95in., length 7.25in. (excluding the fuze) unfired sabot, 7.0in. fired sabot, weight 7lbs. Research Center: Artillery5051-Read, Ref: Dickey & George, Field Artillery (1993 Edition), pg. 257.    Details click: http://relicman.com/artillery/Artillery5051-Read.html. |
| Rifled artillery projectile, Read design, Confederate manufacture, bursting shell, short pattern with bourrelet rings, copper ring thick sabot and milled, wood time fuze, Confederate rifle, 3in. Projectile was Confederate manufactured during the war> following John Read's design. The sabot system utilized was a copper ring sabot, more flexible than the earlier wrought iron sabot, sabot is tapered at the top and seated in a deep groove well inside of the iron base, ring was cast thick, then milled to a thin edge at the bottom. This pattern utilized two bourreletrings, as a labor saving device, only the rings had to be accurately machined, the rest could be left rough. A lathe dimple in the base, and a casting sprue on the nose are usually prominent. Fuze employed was a wood time fuze, Jones Fuzes pg. 2, fuze hole is smooth and tapered, the simple to make fuze could easily be hammered into place. Projectile measures: diameter 2.95in., length 7.25in. (excluding the fuze, fired sabot is compressed), weight 7lbs. Research Center: Artillery5052-Read, Ref: Dickey & George, Field Artillery (1993 Edition), pg. 257.    Details click: http://relicman.com/artillery/Artillery5052-Read.html. |
| Rifled artillery projectile, Read design, Confederate manufacture, bursting shell, short pattern with bourrelet rings, copper ring thin sabot not milled, copper time fuze, Confederate rifle, 3in. Projectile was Confederate manufactured during the war following John Read's design. The sabot system utilized was a copper ring sabot, more flexible than the earlier wrought iron sabot, sabot is tapered at the top and seated in a deep groove well inside of the iron base, ring was thin cast, and was generally not milled or was lightly milled. This pattern utilized two bourreletrings, as a labor saving device, only the rings had to be accurately machined, the rest could be left rough. A lathe dimple in the base, and a casting sprue on the nose are usually prominent. Fuze employed was a Confederate copper time fuze, two spanner holes, Jones pg.41. Projectile measures: diameter 2.95in., length 7.25in. (excluding the fuze) unfired sabot, 7.0in. fired sabot, weight 7lbs. Research Center: Artillery5053-Read, Ref: Dickey & George , Field Artillery (1993 Edition), pg. 257.  Details click: http://relicman.com/artillery/Artillery5053-Read.html. |
| Rifled artillery projectile, Read design, Confederate manufacture, bursting shell, short pattern with bourrelet rings, copper ring thin sabot not milled, wood time fuze, Confederate rifle, 3in. Projectile was Confederate manufactured during the war following John Read's design. The sabot system utilized was a copper ring sabot, more flexible than the earlier wrought iron sabot, sabot is tapered at the top and seated in a deep groove well inside of the iron base, ring was thin cast, and was generally not milled or was lightly milled. 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. A lathe dimple in the base, and a casting sprue on the nose are usually prominent. Fuze employed was a wood time fuze, Jones Fuzes pg. 2, fuze hole is smooth and tapered, the simple to make fuze could easily be hammered into place. Projectile measures: diameter 2.95in., length 7.25in. unfired sabot, 7.0 in fired sabot, weight 7lbs , (typical). Research Center: Artillery5054-Read, Ref: Dickey & George, Field Artillery (1993 Edition), pg. 257.    Details click: http://relicman.com/artillery/Artillery5054-Read.html. |
| Rifled artillery projectile, Read design, Confederate manufacture, Houston Texas, bursting shell, short pattern with bourrelet rings, notched copper ring sabot, wood time fuze, Confederate rifle, 3in. Projectile was Confederate manufactured during the war at Houston Texas. Apparently Read's design was employed and modified. 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. A lathe dimple in the base, and a casting sprue on the nose are usually prominent. This variant of Read's copper sabot is very thick but was not milled out on the inside, the top is milled out to form a safety or lubricating groove, three notches were cut into the sabot to allow flame to pass. Fuze employed was a wood time fuze, Jones Fuzes pg. 2, fuze hole is smooth and tapered, the simple to make fuze could easily be hammered into place. Projectile measures: diameter 2.9in., length 7. 5in. weight 7lbs. Research Center: Artillery5055-Read, Ref: Dickey & George, Field Artillery (1993 Edition), pg. 260.    Details click: http://relicman.com/artillery/Artillery5055-Read.html. |
| Rifled artillery projectile, Read design, Confederate manufacture, bursting shell, short pattern with bourrelet rings, tall copper ring sabot, wood time fuze, Confederate rifle, 3in. Projectile was Confederate manufactured during the war employing 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 width of the bourrelet rings varies considerably, presumably this is operator variance in the finishing process. A lathe dimple in the base, and a casting sprue on the nose areusually prominent. Read developed this copper ring sabot, it was more flexible than the earlier wrought iron sabot, sabot is tapered at the top and seated in a deep groove well inside of the iron base. Copper ring sabot was milled inside to a bevel, then a significant safety groove was milled into the top of the sabot exterior and is sometimes cut into the bottom bourrelet ring , this sabot is typically much longer than the other Reads. Fuze employed was a wood time fuze, Jones Fuzes pg. 2, fuze hole is smooth and tapered, the simple to make fuze could easily be hammered into place. Projectile measures: diameter 2.95in., length 7.25in.(excluding fuze), weight 7.7lb. Research Center: Artillery5056-Read, Ref: Dickey & George , Field Artillery (1993 Edition), pg. 265.    Details click: http://relicman.com/artillery/Artillery5056-Read.html. |
| Rifled artillery projectile, Read design, Confederate manufacture, bursting shell, short pattern with bourrelet rings, lead plug side loader above the bourrelet ring, copper ring sabot, copper time fuze, Confederate rifle, 3in. Projectile was Confederate manufactured during the war employing 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. A lathe dimple in the base, and a casting sprue on the nose are usually prominent. Read developed this copper ring sabot, it was more flexible than the earlier wrought iron sabot, sabot is tapered at the top and seated in a deep groove well inside of the iron base, ring was cast thick, then milled slightly leaving a bevel at the bottom. This pattern employed a side plug as a way to load iron balls into the shell. Conventional case shot shells were usually filled with soft matrix and lead balls, an auger would be used to drill through the lead balls and the matrix to create a void for the powder train. Because of a shortage of lead, theConfederates substituted iron balls. To drill through a mixture of matrixand iron balls would be difficult, so a sizing rod would be inserted through thefuze hole to reserve a void for the powder, the iron balls and matrix would beloaded through a side hole, once loaded the side hole would be plugged, thesizing rod would be removed, and the powder train would be filled. This one used a lead side-plug located above the bourrelet ring. Fuze employed was a Confederate copper time fuze, two spanner holes, Jones pg. 41. Projectile measures: diameter 2.95in., length 7.25in. (excluding the fuze), weight 8lbs. Research Center: Artillery5057-Read, Ref: Dickey & George, Field Artillery (1993 Edition), pg. 258.    Details click: http://relicman.com/artillery/Artillery5057-Read.html. |
| Rifled artillery projectile, Read design, Confederate manufacture, bursting shell, short pattern with bourrelet rings, lead plug side loader below the bourrelet ring, copper ring sabot, copper time fuze, Confederate rifle, 3in. Projectile was Confederate manufactured during the war employing Read's design. This pattern utilized two bourreletrings, as a labor saving device, only the rings had to be accurately machined, the rest could be left rough. A lathe dimple in the base, and a casting sprue on the nose are usually prominent. Read developed this copper ring sabot, it was more flexible than the earlier wrought iron sabot, sabot is tapered at the top and seated in a deep groove well inside of the iron base, ring was cast thick, then milled slightly leaving a bevel at the bottom. Sabot on this pattern is milled, and three verticalslots were cut into the sabot. This pattern employed a side plug as a way to load iron balls into the shell. Conventional case shot shells were usually filled with soft matrix and lead balls,an auger would be used to drill through the lead balls and the matrix to createa void for the powder train. Because of a shortage of lead, theConfederates substituted iron balls. To drill through a mixture of matrixand iron balls would be difficult, so a sizing rod would be inserted through thefuze hole to reserve a void for the powder, the iron balls and matrix would beloaded through a side hole, once loaded the side hole would be plugged, thesizing rod would be removed, and the powder train would be filled. This one used a lead side-plug located below the bourrelet ring, which is unusual. Fuze employed was a Confederate copper time fuze, two spanner holes, Jones pg. 41, fuze is seated in a recess in the fuze hole, it does not sit on top of the shell as is typical for this type of fuze. Projectile measures: diameter 2.95in., length 7.25in. (excluding the fuze) , weight 9lbs. Research Center: Artillery5058-Read, Ref: Dickey & George , Field Artillery (1993 Edition), pg. 258.    Details click: http://relicman.com/artillery/Artillery5058-Read.html. |
A0200.13...Rifled artillery projectile,Confederate manufacture, 2.9in. or 3in., fragments.    These bases are from Confederate Read projectiles. All have lathe dimple. Iron sabot are typically 2.9inch. and fired from three groove 10 pounder. Most copper sabots are 3 in, and show 7 grooves. Most Confederate manufactured projectiles have a lathe dimple in the center. Breaking sabots was a problem, and some of these sabots the entire copper sabot seperated ferom the casting, others broke into segments. Recovered: Shenandoah Valley, Virginia 1864 campaign, Third Battle of Winchester and Battle of Cedar Creek, by Harry Ridgeway.Ridgeway collection, Old Court House Civil War Museum, Winchester, Virginia |
A0200.14...Rifled artillery projectile,Confederate manufacture, 2.9in. or 3in., fragments    These are all 2.9in. or 3in. Confederate manufactutred. The bourrelet ring is only found on Confederate manufacture and is typically from Read design, although it also shows up on some other designs. These are nose sections, some are wood fuzed and some are threaded, the depth of the threads varies considerably. Recovered: Shenandoah Valley, Virginia 1864 campaign, Third Battle of Winchester and Battle of Cedar Creek, by Harry Ridgeway.Ridgeway collection, Old Court House Civil War Museum, Winchester, Virginia |
A0200.24...Rifled artillery projectile,Confederate manufacture, 2.9in. or 3in., fragments  This fragment is nose section from Confederate bourreleted ringed side loader, threads from both the main fuze hole and side plug are visible. Recovered: Shenandoah Valley, Virginia 1864 campaign, Third Battle of Winchester and Battle of Cedar Creek, by Harry Ridgeway.Ridgeway collection, Old Court House Civil War Museum, Winchester, Virginia |
| More Read design, PAGE 2. Research Center: Artillery5000-Read, Details click: http://relicman.com/artillery/Artillery5002-Read-PAGE2.html. |
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