Confederate 12 Pounder Side Loader with Bolt & Exposed Case-Shot
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Item: Confederate 12 Pounder Side Loader with Bolt & Exposed Case-Shot
Gun: 12-pounder smoothbore, 4.62-inch caliber.
Construction: Cast iron with copper fuze adaptor and lead side plug.
Approximate size: Weight: 9.6 pounds. Diameter: 4.51 inches.
Condition: Excavated. The shell's surface has mild to moderate pitting and is stable. A portion of the shell is missing in the area of the side-plug hole exposing iron case-shot and an asphalt/pitch matrix. Its copper fuze adaptor is present. A half-inch bolt with wire remnants, extends approximately 5-1/4 inches outwards from the top of the fuze adaptor (see Comments section below). Its side plug is no longer present. The shell has two cracks, both of which extend from the side plug around the shell. In what appears to be faded silver paint is printed "RIO HILL 2(?)/12/05" The shell is in solid shape with no moving parts. It has been treated with electrolysis to preserve the iron, has no repairs, is safe and ready for display.
Recovered: February? 12, 2005 in the Rio Hill area of Albemarle County, VA.
Reference: Images of similar Confederate 12-pounder side-loader case-shot shells are found in the following Civil War artillery relic reference books:
- "Field Artillery Projectiles of the American Civil War" by Thomas S. Dickey and Peter C, George, page 32, item B.
- "Melton & Pawl's Guide to Civil War Artillery Projectiles", by Jack W. Melton, Jr., and Lawrence E. Pawl, page 34, Fig. III A-17.
See above pages in additional images.
Comments: Though not fully understood why the bolt and wire remnant are present, it has been suggested that the shell may have been used as a gate closing weight at some point. This interesting and unique Confederate side-loader case-shot artillery shell with bolt was acquired directly from the family of the digger and will be an excellent addition to any excavated Civil War artillery or general relic collection.
- Product Code:
- PC9778
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