Also known as: fired vs unfired.
| Fired | Shows rifling engraving and sabot deformation |
|---|---|
| Unfired | Sabot and body intact and undeformed |
| Safety | An unfired shell may still be loaded and live |
Reading the evidence
A rifled projectile that has been fired usually shows the engraving of the rifling on its sabot or band and the deformation of the soft metal, while an unfired one has its sabot intact and undeformed. Incomplete projectiles are missing a sabot, fuze, or other component.
The distinction matters for identification and, crucially, for safety: an unfired shell may still hold its bursting charge and fuze and must be treated as a live and dangerous object until cleared by qualified professionals.
On this site
Sources & further reading
- Hackley, Frank W. Civil War Explosive Ordnance. Revised November 10, 1960. U.S. Naval School, Explosive Ordnance Disposal.
- CivilWarArtillery.com research archive: manuals, reports, marking references, and collecting notes.