Also known as: projectile markings.
| Type | Maker's, arsenal, and inspection marks |
|---|---|
| Location | Body, base, and sabot of the projectile |
| Use | Identifying and attributing a projectile |
Marks on shot and shell
Many Civil War projectiles carry markings: cast or stamped letters and numbers indicating the maker, the arsenal, a pattern or lot, or an inspector's acceptance. They appear on the body, the base, and sometimes the sabot.
Such marks, read together with the projectile's form, caliber, and sabot, help attribute it to a maker or system, though many projectiles are unmarked and must be identified by their construction alone.
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.