James Pattern I, Sub pattern I
This is an non-excavated unfired James Pattern I, Sub-pattern I projectile. The
sabot was manufactured by placing a plate of sheet-tin on a piece of strong canvas, which
is wider than, but of the same length as the plate. The canvas is then folded over the
side edges of the sheet-tin plate and firmly secured by cross sewing. The space between
the inner surface of the canvas covered tin plate and the body of the cylinder is filled
with melted lead, which, adhering to the tin plate and iron ribs, forms a compact mass
around the body of the projectile. The canvas fabric was greased prior to insertion of the
projectile into the bore of the cannon. This was done in an attempt to reduce friction and
subsequent wear of the rifling. This pattern was patented by
Charles Tillinghast James on
February 26, 1856, patent
#14,315, and is classified as Pattern I, Sub-pattern I, due to
the date of the patent.
