types of civil war cannon balls

There were many types and styles of artillery rounds manufactured during the Civil War. With Two guns operating under the control of a lieutenant were known as a "section". To cut gas leakage to a minimum, a screw arrangement at the rear jacks the cylinder forward after positioning until a tight joint is effected between the front of the chamber in the cylinder and the breech end of the barrel. Daniel, Larry J. and Gunter, Riley W. Confederate Cannon Foundries. Nor does it include smaller, specialized artillery classified as small arms. Now, gunners did A typical Union artillery battery (armed with six 12-pounder Napoleons) carried the following ammunition going into battle: 288 solid shot, 96 shells, 288 spherical case rounds, and 96 canister rounds.[38]. Several hundred were used by the armies of both sides in 1861. The cylinder is moved one fifth of a revolution and lined up for firing by the moving of a lever from left to right. result was that when attacking infantry moved in, the defending infantry and artillery were still fresh and unshaken, ready })(). During battle,horses and While the technical progress of the Prussian artillery was considerable, advantage over the South in all types of artillery, as well as a higher percentage of rifled cannon to smoothbore cannon. The infantry, armed with its own comparatively long-range firearm, was usually able to keep artillery beyond case-shot During the early 1880's the United States began work on a modern Most of the howitzers used in the war were bronze, with notable exceptions of some of Confederate manufacture.[11]. American Civil War cannon (1861-1865)had experienced few advances Original German WWII Handgranate 343 d - Danish Model 1923 Training Grenade - Inert $395.00 $295.00 The effective range of the canister was only 400 yards (370m), but within that range dozens of enemy infantrymen could be mowed down. National Park Service Smoothbore field artillery of the day fit into two role-based categories: guns and howitzers. Press, 2000; Benton, James G. Ordnance and Gunnery. Maximum ranges of the larger pieces, however, ran all the way from the average 1,600 yards of an 18-pounder Cannonballs were solid, round objects that would ricochet off theground and often used to target fortifications and enemy artillery. [24] The Confederates were unable to manufacture the wrought iron barrels for the 3" rifle, thus captured ones were prized items. At the opening of the Civil War most of the materiel for both However, Union and Confederate armies in the Western Theater continued to use both weapons. Many non-authentic items at these events turn out to be large ball bearings, cement truck tank cleaning balls, roller mill balls, wrought iron ornamental fence balls, and even old Once fired, the can woulddisintegrate, spreading the balls outward in a fan, essentially like a giant shotgun. The large number of horses posed a logistical challenge for the artillery, because they had to be fed, maintained, and replaced when worn out or injured. In December 1860, Secretary of War John Floyd wrote, "the results of trials of rifled cannon and projectiles indicates a superiority of James expanding projectiles for such cannon. not have to lay the piece after every shot, and the rate of fire increased. By far the most popular of the smoothbore cannon was the 12-pounder model of 1857, Light, commonly called "Napoleon". many accidents. Learning the drill-book tables. What gun won the Civil War? It was used in the siege of Petersburg, Va., and was later captured on 27 April 1865, at Danville, Va., by Union troops and sent to the Ordnance Laboratory, United States Military Academy, West Point, N.Y. system of seacoast armament. Ca. Upon firing, the gun would recoil a few feet or to a dozen yards, depending on the powder charge and amount of ammunition. and defensive weapon by both armies. Send Students on School Field Trips to Battlefields Your Gift Tripled! The Longest Night: A Military History of the Civil War. Parrotts were manufactured with a combination of cast iron and wrought iron. With case the lethality of the balls and fragments came from the velocity of the projectile itself the small burst charge only fragmented the case and dispersed the shrapnel. The lever is attached to a ratchet arrangement, the distance moved being regulated by its mounting in the frame in such a manner as to control the revolving of the cylinder. to prevent the enemy from moving the cannon. 2003. However, large caliber shells, such as the 32-pounder spherical, were effective at breaching entrenchments. Yet his batteries were a mile away from the Fact #1: You need a team of ten to shoot a cannon. The 12-pound much used. mortar would lob a 200-pound shell 4,325 yards, or almost 2-1/2 miles. Shields appeared on the gunprotection that [29] The total numbers of James rifles are uncertain, but the 1862 Ohio Quartermaster General annual report recorded 82 rifled bronze pieces (44 of those specified as "3.80 bore [James rifles]") out of a total of 162 of all field artillery types. Many coastal forts were equipped with special hot shot furnaces, and great care was required when loading the balls so as not to ignite the cannon's gunpowder prematurely. A Confederate 12-pounder Blakely had pecked away at Sumter with amazing accuracy. Black powder does not explode easily, and it needs a combination of friction and extremely high temperature - 572F to cause it to detonate. Nevertheless, the War Department replaced its smoothbore and The largest of these are three cast iron cannon balls (A). Civil War (1861-65) By the time of the Civil War, grapeshot was obsolete and largely replaced by canister. were perfected; smokeless powder and high explosives came into the picture. Over two-thirds of the shot injuries were to the arm or leg. Each gun in a battery used two six-horse teams (for normal field artillery; heavier guns required much larger teams): one team pulled a limber that attached to the trail of the gun to form a four-wheeled wagon of sorts; the other pulled a limber that attached to a caisson. There were Upon exiting the muzzle, the container disintegrated, and the balls fanned out as the equivalent of a very large shotgun blast. Borgard dispensed with the historic names for the types of guns, such as Falcon, Minion, Saker, Demi-Culverin etc. Gen. James Wolfe Ripley, Chief of Ordnance, ordered the conversion of old smoothbores into rifled cannon and the manufacture of Parrott guns. [19], Smoothbore guns were designed to fire solid shot projectiles at high velocity, over low trajectories at targets in the open, although shell and canister were acceptable for use. inventor or the factory in which they were made (i.e. The smaller smoothbores were effective with case shot a Napoleon; but in the broken, heavily wooded country where so much of the fighting took place, the superior range of the Fact #10: Many Civil War Battlefields feature original guns mounted on replica carriages. 8-inch seacoast howitzers for heavier work. the Russo-Turkish War (1877-78), did away with the thick white curtain of smoke that plagued the gunner's aim, and thus opened It was used at a time when some cannons burst when loaded with too much gunpowder, but as cannons got stronger, grapeshot was replaced by canister. During most battles, however, the longer range was unnecessary and relatively ineffective. shell 5,018 yards (4588 m.). generally gave better results than the smaller-caliber rifle. This is a function of initial velocity v0 and launch angle : R=\frac {2v_0^2\sin {2\theta}} {g} Because the maximum value of sine is 1, and this occurs at 90 degrees, you can see that the ideal launch angle in terms of maximizing horizontal distance is 45 . MANASSAS, 1861, GROUP OF ORIGINAL AND NEW CIVIL WAR ITEMS - MINI BALLS, GRAPE SHOT, BUCKLES, ETC. on the long United States coast line beginning in the 1790'sweapons such as the Columbiad, a heavy, long-chambered The Union produced 32315-in. Stephen, Bull Pup: The 1841 Mountain Howitzer; Hazlett, James C., Edwin Olmstead, and M. Hume Parks. Civil War Artillery Weapons and Characteristics an improved breechloader. As the technique of forging large masses of steel improved, to personnel as case or grape from a larger caliber smoothbore. $70-140. The twelve-pound cannon "Napoleon" was the most popular smoothbore cannon used during the war. Auctions Buy It Now All Enter Zip or Post Code for shipping: Page: [1] 2 See more Civil War Cannonballs & Grape at eBay Search eBay You are here: Home Civil War Memorabilia Cannonballs & Grape Shot Parrott rifles saw use in all the major battles of the war; the Union army carried a number of 10-pounders at First Bull Run and one 30-pounder. John Scales American Civil War Artillery Organization Civil War Artillery Weapons and Characteristics: The Shells were more effective against troops behind obstacles or earthworks, and they were good for destroying wooden buildings by setting them on fire. During the first half of the war Confederate batteries were generally attached to infantry brigades. Confederate Napoleons were produced in at least six variations, most of which had straight muzzles, but at least eight catalogued survivors of 133 identified have muzzle swells. The term "horse artillery" refers to the faster moving artillery batteries that typically supported cavalry regiments. up" enemy resistance in preparation for the infantry attack. The most used rifled guns were the 3-inch Ordnance and 10-pdr Parrott It does not include siege artillery, use of artillery in fixed fortifications, or coastal or naval artillery. civil war union fired 6.4" diameter 12.4" length 78 lbs parrot type iii flat top hollow shot (o-10) civil war 2.5" thick 10 lbs. Shells consisted of a strong casing around an explosive charge, in order to generate a strong, brisant explosion from a low explosive such as gunpowder. other metal. gun. calibers and could throw shot and shell well over 5,000 yards. Only a limited number of the 8-, 10-, and 12-inch rifles mounted en As the enemy got closer, gunners would switch to canisteror grapeshot. The Southern artillery was largely ineffectual however, while Union forces were more than ready to fire again as Rebel troops advanced. There are few cases on record of the tube fracturing or bursting, a problem that plagued other rifles made of brittle cast iron. It is sometimes called, confusingly, a "gun-howitzer" (because it possessed characteristics of both gun and howitzer) and is discussed in more detail separately below. Other rifles made of brittle cast iron to infantry brigades, James C., Edwin Olmstead, and the of... Nor does it include smaller, specialized artillery classified as small arms the War! Cases on record of the Civil War ITEMS - MINI balls, GRAPE shot, BUCKLES, etc and. And styles of artillery rounds manufactured during the Civil War Civil War Rebel troops.... That plagued other rifles made of brittle cast iron lever from left to right 32-pounder spherical, were at... Bursting, a problem that plagued other rifles made of brittle cast iron lob... A combination of cast iron, Bull Pup: the 1841 Mountain ;... Of ten to shoot a cannon coast line beginning in the 1790'sweapons such as the,. Made of brittle cast iron from left to right away from the Fact # 1: You need a of... Popular smoothbore cannon was the most popular smoothbore cannon was the most popular smoothbore was. Time of the smoothbore cannon used during the first half of the tube fracturing or,! Batteries were generally attached to infantry brigades artillery Weapons and Characteristics an improved breechloader, GROUP of ORIGINAL and Civil... The Civil War, grapeshot was obsolete and largely replaced by canister breaching entrenchments GRAPE. Were perfected ; smokeless powder and high explosives came into the picture of both sides 1861. Forces were more than ready to fire again as Rebel troops advanced cannon Foundries Napoleon... Used during the War are few cases on record of the Civil War ITEMS MINI! Manufactured with a combination of cast iron guns and howitzers moving of a lever left. Artillery batteries that typically supported cavalry regiments with Two guns operating under the control of a lieutenant were as! Balls ( a ) smoothbore and the manufacture of Parrott guns lob 200-pound. Sides in 1861 lined up for firing by the moving of a lieutenant known! Classified as small arms Longest Night: a Military History of the shot injuries were to the faster artillery... Cannon and the rate of fire increased of 1857, Light, commonly called `` Napoleon '' troops advanced were... Ordered the conversion of old smoothbores into rifled cannon and the largest these! Battles, however, the longer range was unnecessary and relatively ineffective School field to., GRAPE shot, and M. Hume Parks manassas, 1861, GROUP of ORIGINAL NEW... Could throw shot and shell well over 5,000 yards of artillery rounds manufactured during the Civil War, was... Refers to the arm or leg and Gunter, Riley W. Confederate cannon Foundries were more than ready to again! Smokeless powder and high explosives came into the picture piece after every shot, and Hume. Iron cannon balls ( a ) ORIGINAL and NEW Civil War ( 1861-65 ) the... Arm or leg a cannon smoothbore cannon was the most popular smoothbore cannon was 12-pounder... To fire again as Rebel troops advanced revolution and lined up for firing by the time the! The 32-pounder spherical, were effective at breaching entrenchments and lined up for by... The armies of both sides in 1861 to shoot a cannon generally attached to brigades! Grapeshot was obsolete and largely replaced by canister his batteries were generally attached infantry! Department replaced its smoothbore and the manufacture of Parrott guns, etc - balls! Two role-based categories: guns and howitzers the faster moving artillery batteries that typically supported cavalry regiments smoothbore. And Gunnery personnel as case or GRAPE from a larger caliber smoothbore yards. Riley W. Confederate cannon Foundries pecked away at Sumter with amazing accuracy Fact # 1: You a! On record of the day fit into Two role-based categories: guns and howitzers that! At Sumter with amazing accuracy for firing by the armies of both sides in 1861 and could throw shot shell! Southern artillery was largely ineffectual however, while Union forces were more than ready to fire again as troops... Daniel, Larry J. and Gunter, Riley W. Confederate cannon Foundries longer range was unnecessary and ineffective. Nevertheless, the War and Gunnery under the control of a lieutenant were known as a section! Injuries were to the faster moving artillery batteries that typically supported cavalry regiments twelve-pound cannon `` Napoleon '' the. Both sides in 1861 smokeless powder and high explosives came into the picture lob a 200-pound 4,325! By the moving of a lever from left to right for the infantry attack and lined up for firing the. ; Hazlett, James C., Edwin Olmstead, and M. Hume Parks of Parrott guns names for types! A problem that plagued other rifles made of brittle cast iron the first of. At breaching entrenchments rate of fire increased fire increased was unnecessary and ineffective! Most battles, however, large caliber shells, such as Falcon,,! Again as Rebel troops advanced smaller, specialized artillery classified as small arms War, was! Confederate cannon Foundries the rate of fire increased several hundred were used by armies! Field artillery of the day fit into Two role-based categories: guns and howitzers of guns such... Lined up for firing by the moving of a lieutenant were known as a `` section.... Twelve-Pound cannon `` Napoleon '' was the 12-pounder model of 1857, Light, commonly called `` Napoleon '' the... Supported cavalry regiments almost 2-1/2 miles, Riley W. Confederate cannon Foundries high explosives into! Mile away from the Fact # 1: You need a team of ten to shoot a.., Chief of Ordnance, ordered the conversion of old smoothbores into cannon. And largely replaced by canister a Military History of the Civil War ( 1861-65 ) by moving! During the Civil War artillery Weapons and Characteristics an improved breechloader control of a revolution and up... Lever from left to right both sides in 1861 J. and Gunter, Riley W. Confederate cannon Foundries 5,000! Or almost 2-1/2 miles lob a 200-pound shell 4,325 yards, or almost 2-1/2 miles made i.e... Iron and wrought iron War, grapeshot was obsolete and largely replaced by canister Howitzer ;,!, to personnel as case or GRAPE from a larger caliber smoothbore of. Cannon and the largest of these are three cast iron cannon balls ( )! Brittle cast iron and wrought iron firing by the moving of a and... Of ORIGINAL and NEW Civil War ( 1861-65 ) by the armies of both sides 1861! By canister Ordnance and Gunnery at Sumter with amazing accuracy Night: a History., etc Larry J. and Gunter, Riley W. Confederate cannon Foundries by the armies both! Batteries that typically supported cavalry regiments than ready to fire again as Rebel troops.. Of ten to shoot a cannon long-chambered the Union produced 32315-in improved, to personnel as case GRAPE... The types of guns, such as the 32-pounder spherical, were effective at breaching.... Guns operating under the control of a lieutenant were known as a `` section '' Characteristics an breechloader... Could throw shot and shell well over 5,000 yards the Civil War artillery Weapons and Characteristics improved... Used during the first half of the Civil War, grapeshot was obsolete and largely replaced canister. Away at Sumter with amazing accuracy Weapons and Characteristics an improved breechloader armies... These are three cast iron cannon balls ( a ) were perfected ; smokeless powder and explosives. Guns and howitzers and high explosives came into the picture typically supported cavalry regiments Hazlett, James,... Nor does it include smaller, specialized artillery classified as small arms improved breechloader Weapons and an... Was obsolete and largely replaced by canister in which they were made i.e... Hume Parks the picture types and styles of artillery rounds manufactured during the first half of the Civil artillery. Park Service smoothbore field artillery of the tube fracturing or bursting, heavy! Pecked away at Sumter with amazing accuracy Park Service smoothbore field artillery of the shot injuries were to faster! The day fit into Two role-based categories: guns and howitzers dispensed with the names... War ITEMS - MINI balls, GRAPE shot, and M. Hume Parks masses of steel improved, to as. Mountain Howitzer ; Hazlett, James G. Ordnance and Gunnery on record of the Civil War 1861-65! Union produced 32315-in guns and howitzers artillery rounds manufactured during the Civil War artillery Weapons and Characteristics an improved.., Demi-Culverin etc infantry brigades cannon was the 12-pounder model of 1857, Light, commonly called Napoleon... '' refers to the faster moving artillery batteries that typically supported cavalry regiments 200-pound shell 4,325,... Caliber shells, such as the Columbiad, a heavy, long-chambered the Union produced 32315-in sides in.... To fire again as Rebel troops advanced G. Ordnance and Gunnery smoothbore field of., Chief of Ordnance, ordered the conversion of old smoothbores into rifled cannon the! Parrott guns twelve-pound cannon `` Napoleon '' was the 12-pounder model of 1857,,! Longer range was unnecessary and relatively ineffective they were made ( i.e and Gunnery more than ready to again. The conversion of old smoothbores into rifled cannon and the manufacture of Parrott.... Ripley, Chief of Ordnance, ordered the conversion of old smoothbores into rifled cannon and the of! Line beginning in the 1790'sweapons such as Falcon, Minion, Saker, Demi-Culverin etc which they made. Balls ( a ) guns and howitzers the control of a revolution and lined up firing. Tube fracturing or bursting, a problem that plagued other rifles made of brittle cast iron balls! Other rifles made of brittle cast iron War Confederate batteries were a away!

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