Tennessee Sabot Pattern I, Sub-pattern I
This Tennessee Sabot pattern projectile is sometimes called the Mullane shell.
The Confederate Patent Office refused to issue a patent for the Mullane projectile on the
grounds that the design was anticipated by the patent of
Dr. John B.
Read. This pattern
has a characteristic saucer-shaped copper sabot with a wooden dowel pin attached under it
to aid in a uniform expansion. A small center bolt held the dowel and sabot in place. This
pictured example is missing the wooden dowel. Specimens have been recovered from Augusta,
Georgia, and near Selma, Alabama. The bronze Confederate 2.25-inch caliber mountain rifle
weighed approximately 200 pounds.
