Encyclopedia · Projectiles and ammunition

Absterdam projectile

The Absterdam projectile was a rifled projectile made in several patterns and sub-patterns, found chiefly as a 3-inch bolt with a base sabot.

Also known as: Absterdam bolt.

In the Half Shell Book: This subject is treated in Civil War Artillery Projectiles: The Half Shell Book, pp. 179-180.
ClassRifled projectile
FormsBolt (solid)
VariantsPattern I (sub-patterns I and II) and Pattern II
Common caliber3-inch

Patterns

The Absterdam projectile is classified into patterns and sub-patterns that reflect differences in body and sabot construction. It is found chiefly as a 3-inch bolt, its base fitted with a sabot that engaged the rifling.

Because maker and pattern names can be mistaken for one another among the many rifled systems, Absterdam projectiles are attributed on the basis of measured caliber, body profile, and sabot form together with documented recovery history.

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Sources & further reading

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