Civil War Artillery Shell Fragment

[Civil War Geek]

This fragment was found near the Chattanooga battlefield years back. I'm guessing it's from a schenkl shell, but I can't find a comparable example. Any help would be appreciated.

 

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[TheCannonballGuy]

The US James Type 2 was the only version of civil war artillery projectiles which had the shape of raised ribs we see on your iron fragment. (The ribs were covered by a large lead cup-shaped sabot, which is absent from the fragment you found.) Please clean (chisel) the rust-encrustation out of the valley between the ribs, to see if the valley and ribs' shape is a "dovetail." If it's not, your fragment is not from an artilley projectile.

If possible, please tell me whether your fragment found on the north side of the river, or the south (Lookout Mountain) side.

 

[Davers]

I can hardly wait to find out.

 

[Civil War Geek]

It was found at lookout mountain. It does have the dovetail shape. Are the James Type 2 shells rare, because I was only able to find a couple online?

 

[sutphin]

NEET FIND.

 

[TheCannonballGuy]

Thank you for replying with the requested location-info. Yes, the James Type 2 artillery projectiles are quite rare. They failed miserably in combat use, and were quickly discontinued. They are found almost exclusively in "Deep South" 1863 battle sites, most notably at the Siege Of Vicksburg and Vicksburg-related battles like Champion's Hill.

Unlike the James Type 1, the Type 2 usually retained its thick lead sabot after firing. I mention that because it might be difficult for you to find a photo of a sabotless James Type 2 projectile. But in my 40+ years as a civil war (and earlier) artillery projectile collector and dealer, I've seen a few James Type 2's missing their sabot (exposing the dovetail-shaped ribs/grooves), which is how I recognized your fragment.

 

[Civil War Geek]

Thanks for all the info !!!