10-pounder Read-Parrott Projectile, Wrought Iron Sabot

Federal

Read-Parrott

DIAMETER: 2.86 inches
GUN: 10-pounder Parrott rifle, 2.9-inch caliber
LENGTH: 8 7/8 inches
WEIGHT: 8 pounds 15 ounces
CONSTRUCTION: Shell
SABOT: Wrought iron ring
FUZING: Parrott percussion, zinc

All Federal Read-Parrott projectiles with wrought iron ring sabots were manufactured for use in the 10-pounder Parrott rifle of 2.9-inch caliber. The wrought iron ring was cast first and placed into the projectile mould in such a manner that, after casting, it was firmly embedded in the metal body. It was then placed in a metal cylinder and pre-stamped (according to Parrott's patent information) with the rifling grooves. The fuze in this specimen consists of a zinc anvil cap and a zinc striker. A percussion cap rested upon the iron nipple of the zinc striker. Often upon firing, the striker would bind at an angle inside the threaded fuze cavity of the nose of the projectile, thus preventing detonation due to the lack of contact with the anvil cap. Parrott patented this projectile on August 20, 1861, United States Patent # 33,100.