Civil War Artillery

Civil War Artillery

This page last updated May 20, 2013

EMAIL Phone: 804-873-5462

virginiarelics@comcast.net

Plez Bagby
PO Box 6425
Charlottesville, VA 22906

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Click Image For More Pictures	PC4920 Exploded Base From a Seven Inch Confederate Brooke Shell - Huge This artillery shell base is huge and was originally the bottom of a 7 inch Confederate Brooke shell. The iron is in very good condition and has been treated with electrolysis and lightly clear coated for stabilization. Its copper sabot is missing exposing the ratchet-planes on the bottom. The bolt and nut are still present that once held the sabot in place. Entire seven inch Brooke shells can weigh up to 99 pounds while this base alone weighs approximately 15.2 pounds. In the additional images I have included both a .58 caliber 3-ring bullet as well as 10 pounder Read-Parrott shell for size comparison. This Brooke base was recovered in the area of Drewry's Bluff in Chesterfield County, VA. The Confederate navy used these shells around Drewry's Bluff to harass the advancement of Grant's army toward Richmond. This artillery base will be an excellent addition to any Civil War artillery or general relic collection. SOLD Top
Click Image For More Pictures	PC4879 Confederate 2.9 Inch Archer Bolt This excavated Confederate 2.9 inch Archer bolt is in very good condition. Though missing its lead sabot, the iron is in great shape and there is a visible mold seam. This bolt was recovered from the area of White Oak Swamp in eastern Henrico County, VA. An example of this bolt can be found in Dickey and George's "Field Artillery Projectiles of the American Civil War" on page 72 of the 1980 edition and on page 78 of the 1993 edition. It weighs approximately 6.8 pounds and measures approximately 2.94 inches in diameter and 5.97 inches in length. This Archer bolt will be an excellent addition to any Civil War artillery or general relic collection. $850.00 Order Information or Questions? Top
Click Image For More Pictures	PC4969 Grape Shot - Cold Harbor This 1.5 inch grape shot is in good condition and its accompanying old typed label indicates that it was recovered from "Cold Harbor May 1966". This piece of artillery will be an excellent addition to any Civil War artillery or general relic collection. $55.00 Order Information or Questions? Top
Click Image For More Pictures	PC4883 Confederate Copper Time Fuse Adaptor This excavated Confederate copper time fuse adaptor is in excellent condition and was for use in rifled artillery projectiles. This fine artillery relic was acquired direct from the digger who recovered it decades ago from the Fort Brady area of Henrico County, VA. It was here that the Union Army engineers constructed a fortification overlooking the James River in late 1864 which prevented movement of Confederate gunboats. If you like that fresh out of the ground appearance, then is for you, as it has had little or no cleaning. What is even more amazing is the fact that a portion of its paper time fuse is still visibly lodged in place. This adaptor is constructed of copper which has a woodsy green patina. The two spanner holes visible on the top of the adaptor were used to screw it into the shell. A paper time fuse, of varying burn times, would be inserted into the larger center hole. The head of this adaptor measures approximately 1.25 inches in diameter and its length measures approximately 1.39 inches. The threads are in very good condition and this adaptor has no cracks, breaks, or repairs. It will be an excellent addition to any excavated Civil War artillery or general relic collection. $75.00 Order Information or Questions? Top
Click Image For More Pictures	PC3435 Artillery Schenkle Fuse Portion This Schenkle fuse portion was recovered in the area of Caroline County, VA. It has a very nice green patina and its condition is believed to be the result of the blast of the exploding artillery shell. Though the fuse is misshaped and is missing its top portion, it will be an excellent addition to any Civil War artillery or general relic collection. $25.00 Order Information or Questions? Top
Click Image For More Pictures	PC4530 Artillery Canister in Shrapnel These 11 iron canister balls measure approximately 3/4 inch in diameter and were for use in "case-shot" type artillery projectiles. The shrapnel section, from a 4.5 inch shell, measures approximately 2.8 x 3.9 inches. This group of 11 were all recovered from Wilderness, Va. many years ago by local relic hunter Henry Foster. The section of shrapnel was not recovered with them but actually comes from a dig site in Petersburg, VA. and is included. This artillery relic will display nicely in any Civil War artillery or general relic collection. SOLD Top
Click Image For More Pictures	PC4887 Artillery US Naval Watercap Fuse - Dated 1862 This US naval watercap fuse, dated 1862, is in good condition and has a very pleasing green patina. The date of 1862 indicates the year it was manufactured by the US Ordnance Department. Naval fuses are recovered with dates ranging from 1857 to 1865. According to Peter George, co-author of "Field Artillery Projectiles of the American Civil War" the 1862 dated fuses are common. Its threads are in fair condition, its bushing is present, but its water cap is missing. Stamped in the head of this fuse is "ORD D 1862" along with an anchor. It's head measures approximately 1.27 inches in diameter and it is approximately 2.45 inches long. This fuse comes direct from the digger and was recovered near the James River in Varina, VA. It will be an excellent addition to any Civil War artillery or general relic collection. $115.00 Order Information or Questions? Top
Click Image For More Pictures	PC4622 Complete US 3 Inch Type II Hotchkiss Case Shot This fired US Type II Hotchkiss case shot for a 3 inch rifle is in excellent condition. The iron is smooth, complete, and shows nearly no pitting. Its brass fuse adaptor is present along with its lead sabot, which exhibits its seven lands and grooves from firing. Only a couple of letters of the Hotchkiss patent date and mark of "HOTCHKISS PATENT OCTOBER 9, 1855", cast into the base of this case-shot, are still visible. This example shows only very faint traces of the patent date. This very nice case shot shell has been deactivated, cleaned and very lightly clear coated. This shell was recovered in the area of eastern Henrico County, VA. If you are looking for a top notch fired example that is ready for display then this shell is it! It will be an excellent addition to any excavated Civil War artillery or general relic collection. The length is approximately 7 inches and it weighs approximately 8.6 lbs. SOLD Top
Click Image For More Pictures	PC4880 Confederate Copper Time Fuse Adaptor This excavated Confederate copper time fuse adaptor is in excellent condition and was for use in rifled artillery projectiles. This fine artillery relic was acquired direct from the digger who recovered it from the White House Landing area of New Kent County, VA. It was here that the Union Army had a major supply base in 1862 during the Peninsula Campaign. If you like that fresh out of the ground appearance, then is for you, as it has had little or no cleaning. This adaptor is constructed of copper which has a very pleasing even dusty light green patina. The two spanner holes visible on the top of the adaptor were used to screw it into the shell. A paper time fuse, of varying burn times, would be inserted into the larger center hole. The head of this adaptor measures approximately 1.25 inches in diameter and its length measures approximately 1.80 inches. The threads are in very good condition and this adaptor has no cracks, breaks, or repairs. It will be an excellent addition to any excavated Civil War artillery or general relic collection. SOLD Top
Click Image For More Pictures	PC4749 Exploded Schenkl Percussion Fuse - Rare Example with Oct. 15 Date This exploded top half of a Schenkl percussion fuse has a very nice green patina and was recovered east of Richmond, VA. Stamped in the top is "J. P. SCHENKL PAT. OCT. 15. 1861" and according to Peter George, co-author of "Field Artillery Projectiles of the American Civil War", the majority of Schenkl percussion fuses were stamped with a date of Oct. 16, 1861 which was a day after J. P. Schenkl patented his original Schenkl "Safety Concussion" fuses. This fuse has the rarer original patent date of the 15th. In the enlarged images I have included a picture of the top of the more commonly recovered Schenkl fuse (not included in this sale) which depicts the Oct. 16th date. Notice the larger style lettering on that example as compared to the fuse offered in this listing. The fuse offered is missing its bottom section most likely due to the blast but still retains its anvil cap which is located in the center of the top of its head just inside the lettering. The head diameter measures approximately 1.24 inches. This fuse will display well in any excavated Civil War artillery or general relic collection. $75.00 Order Information or Questions? Top
Click Image For More Pictures	PC4169 Seven Artillery Fuse Pieces and Parts This group of seven various artillery fuse pieces and parts were all acquired direct from the digger who recovered them from various Civil War battle areas east of Richmond, VA. Included in the group are (clockwise starting from the 12 o'çlock position): The head of a brass Schenkl fuse with clear lettering of "J. P. SCHENKL PAT. OCT. 16. 1861", the top portion of a Type I Hotchkiss case-shot fuse notice rounded dents on its base from iron case shot impact upon explosion, the brass threaded portion of a Schenkl fuse, a brass anvil cap for Schenkl fuse, a brass underplug for a Bormann time fuse, a Schenkl fuse (missing head) and in the middle is a Bormann time fuse still showing a few hash marks and the number "1" representing one second. Some of these artillery fuse parts clearly show evidence of having undergone an explosion and will be an excellent display for any Civil War artillery or general relic collection. $105.00 Order Information or Questions? Top
Click Image For More Pictures	PC4395 2.9 Inch Caliber Read-Parrott "Case Shot" Shell This 2.9 inch caliber Read-Parrott "case shot" shell is in excellent condition and was excavated at an old hospital site along the Nansemond River in Suffolk, VA. The iron sabot and a zinc fuse adaptor are still present and the overall condition of the iron is excellent showing only light pitting on one side. It has been deactivated, cleaned, and very lightly clear coated so as to preserve it. Its length is approximately 8 1.2 inches and it weighs approximately 10.2 lbs. This projectile will be a excellent addition to any artillery or general excavated relic collection. $295.00 Order Information or Questions? Top
Click Image For More Pictures	PC4166 Parrott Time Fuse Adaptor This excavated Parrott time fuse adaptor is in very good condition. This fine artillery relic was acquired direct from the digger who recovered it from New Kent County, VA. If you like that fresh out of the ground appearance, then is for you, as it has had little or no cleaning. There still remains the fine soil of New Kent lodged in the paper time fuse hole. This adaptor is made out of zinc with twelve threads per inch. The two spanner holes visible on the top of the adaptor were used to screw it into the Parrott shell. A paper time fuse, of varying burn times, would then be inserted into the larger center hole. This adaptor measures approximately 1.13 inches in diameter and 1.39 inches in length. It has no cracks, breaks, or repairs and will be an excellent addition to any Civil War artillery or general relic collection. $55.00 Order Information or Questions? Top
Click Image For More Pictures	PC4625 Confederate 12 Pounder Lead Plug "Side Loader" Case Shot This Confederate spherical 12 pounder lead plug "side loader" case shot is in very good condition and was excavated in the area of Malvern Hill, VA. The iron is in good condition with some surface pitting. The copper fuse adaptor and lead plug are still present as well as a distinctive mold seam running along a portion of the projectile's equator. It has been professionally deactivated, cleaned, and lightly coated so as to preserve it. There are a few areas of the surface where the clear coating has chipped away and the raw iron is exposed. This fine artillery projectile will make an excellent addition to any artillery or general excavated relic collection. Weighs approximately 9.8 lbs. $395.00 Order Information or Questions? Top
Click Image For More Pictures	PC4296 Seven 1.5 inch Canister Shot These seven canister shot, measuring approximately 1.5 inches in diameter, are rusty, but still in very good stable condition. Two of the shots (shown as the top two in the thumbnail picture to the left) were recovered from the area of Wilderness, VA in the 1970's by relic hunter Henry Foster of Louisa County, VA and the remaining five were recovered in the Petersburg, VA area by relic hunter Gray Morris of Hopewell in the 1960's. The seven canister shot pictured are the exact ones you will receive. These fine examples will be an excellent addition to any excavated Civil War artillery or general relic collection. SOLD Top
Click Image For More Pictures	PC3859 Artillery Iron Projectile Group - Malvern Hill This artillery iron group recovered in the area of the battle of Malvern Hill in Henrico County, VA consist of the following: Clockwise from top center - a culot fragment from a 9-inch navy water cap fused round ball measuring approximately 6.25 inches in diameter, a 2.9 inch Parrott shell base, a grape shot measuring approximately 2.8 inches in diameter for a 32 pounder stand of grape, a 2.9 inch Parrott shell base, ten 1/2 to 3/4 inch canister in a 20 pounder shell base. This shell base shows scalloping at the top of the sabot groove which indicates that this 20 pounder Parrot would have had a brass band sabot (see Dickey and George's "Field Artillery Projectiles of the American Civil War" page 227 for an example). Total weight of all items is approximately 23 pounds. $125.00 Order Information or Questions? Top
Click Image For More Pictures	PC3558 US 3 Inch Type II Hotchkiss Shell This excavated US 3 inch Type II Hotchkiss shell is a complete fired example which has been left in its raw state with no clear coating or electrolysis. It was recovered in Petersburg, VA in the 1960's by Grayson Morris of Hopewell, VA. The brass fuse adaptor and lead sabot are both present and in good condition. Some type of black substance covers a portion of its sabot but I am unable to tell exactly what it is. The moderately pitted iron of this shell is very stable and its base cup section has two 1/4 inch deactivation drill holes. The shell has been professionally deactivated and is ready for display. Its weight is approximately 8.4 pounds and length is approximately 6 1/2 inches. This fine artillery shell will make an excellent addition to any artillery or general excavated relic collection. $250.00 Order Information or Questions? Top
Click Image For More Pictures	PC3561 Confederate 12 Pounder Side-Loader Projectile w/ Reconstructed Wood Cup, Straps and Bag This Confederate 12 pounder side-loader cannonball with reconstructed wood cup, straps, and bag will make an excellent display piece. The side loader ball was recovered in Petersburg, VA in the 1960's by Grayson Morris of Hopewell, VA. Mr. Morris, using what appears to be a large sock for the bag, crafted a wood cup and black sheet metal strips to recreate its original appearance. The ball is in excellent condition and still has a the brass fuse adaptor and lead side plug, both of which are in excellent condition. The stable iron is in its "as found" condition as it has not been coated. This relic has been deactivated and is ready for display. It will make an excellent addition to any Civil War artillery or general relic collection. Weighs approximately 10.8 pounds and is approximately 4.5 inches in diameter. $575.00 Order Information or Questions? Top
Click Image For More Pictures	PC3462 US Artillery Horse Bit This US artillery horse bit is in good condition and appears to be an early excavated example. It has plain bit bosses and is brass plated. Both rings and curb chain are present. This relic will make a excellent example to add to any Civil War cavalry or general excavated relic collection. $275.00 Order Information or Questions? Top
Click Image For More Pictures	PC2456 12 Pounder Case Shot This 12 pounder case shot is good condition and was recovered in central Virginia. The iron is moderately pitted and has been lightly clear coated so as to preserve it. This case shot would have used a wood drive-in fuse plug with a paper time fuse. This example weighs approximately 10.8 lbs and will make an excellent addition to any artillery or general excavated relic collection. It has been disarmed and is ready for display. $225.00 Order Information or Questions? Top
Click Image For More Pictures	PC2438 3 Inch Type I Hotchkiss Shell This 3 inch type I Hotchkiss shell is in very nice unfired condition. Originally manufactured without flame grooves, it was eventually retrofitted with flame grooves for Civil War use. Its lead sabot is in very good condition and this shell would have used a wood drive in fuse adaptor. An example of this shell (prior to retrofitting) can be found on page 165 in Thomas S. Dickey and Peter C. George's "Field Artillery Projectiles of the American Civil War", Revised and Supplemented Edition 1993. Excavated in central Virginia, this shell has just been released from a 35 year old local collection. This artillery relic is disarmed and will make an excellent addition to any artillery or general relic collection. Approximate weight is 7.6 lbs and the length is 6 5/8 inches. $295.00 Order Information or Questions? Top
Click Image For More Pictures	PC1842 Hotchkiss Shell Nose with Brass Fuse Adaptor This brass fuse adaptor still retains the Hotchkiss shell nose and was recovered in the general area of Petersburg, Va. Blasted apart from the rest of the shell, the adaptor is in remarkably good condition with the iron nose is still securely attached. The adaptor measures approximately 1.94 inches in length and 1.16 inches in head diameter. This relic will make a an excellent display piece for any artillery collection. $155.00 Ordering Information or Questions Top

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