Confederate

Armstrong

 

DIAMETER:  6.3 inches
GUN:  6.4-inch Armstrong Rifle
LENGTH: 9 inches
WEIGHT:  67 pounds
CONSTRUCTION: Bolt
SABOT:  None, Shunt System
FUZING: None

Non-excavated.  Unfired.  Exact shell pictured on page 56, figure 31 of the book, Heavy Artillery Projectiles of the Civil War, 1861-1865, by Sydney Kerksis and Thomas Dickey.  This shell was imported by the Confederates.  Written in old lettering, ‘CONFEDERATE RIFLE PROJECTILE, NORFOLK NAVY YARD, C.S.A.".  On the opposite side is "CSA 100 and stamped in the metal appear to be four letters "_ _ RH".  Having three rows with four brass studs in each row, inclined at about 120 degrees, that would correspond to Armstrong’s cannon rifle.  The base is flat.  This is the only known specimen.


Photograph courtesy - James D. Julia Auctions.