Encyclopedia · Projectiles and ammunition

Mullane projectile

The Mullane projectile was a Confederate rifled projectile whose copper or wrought-iron cup sabot, known as the Tennessee sabot, expanded into the rifling on firing.

Also known as: Tennessee sabot, Mullane shell.

ClassConfederate rifled projectile
InventorJohn Mullane
SabotA metal cup sabot, the Tennessee sabot
Made inBolt and shell

The Tennessee sabot

The Mullane projectile was a Confederate rifled projectile associated with John Mullane, its base fitted with a cup sabot of copper or wrought iron. On firing, the pressure forced the cup outward into the rifling, so the projectile took the grooves and sealed the bore. The sabot is often called the Tennessee sabot.

Made as bolt and shell, the Mullane is one of the Southern rifled systems, and it is identified by its distinctive base cup together with the body form and recovery history.

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