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VIRGINIA CIVIL WAR RELICS

Civil War Artillery

This page last updated January 03, 2009

               EMAIL      Phone:  804-873-5462 

virginiarelics@comcast.net

Plez Bagby
PO Box 6425
Charlottesville, VA 22906

Click on any image to see more of that item.

PC2254
              Blown Hotchkiss Artillery Shell Nose

This blown Hotchkiss artillery shell nose is an excellent display piece.  The tip of the shell was blown off upon exploding leaving the ragged edge and an empty chamber inside.  This shell would have been fired from a 3 inch wrought iron (ordnance) rifle.  I am attempting to contact the digger from Hanover County, VA. at this writing to find out specifically where it was recovered and will post once I know.  The remaining parts of the shell such as the sabot and base cup are missing as well.  This relic measures approximately 5.5 in length and is 2.9 inches in diameter.  SOLD

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PC1865
                      Lead Canister or Grape Shot


This lead canister or grape shot measures approximately 1.27 inches in diameter is in good condition.  This example is fairly well rounded with a very pleasing white patina with a few dings.  Lead shot of this size are rarely found and this one was recovered by the late James Renfrow, Sr. east of Richmond, VA.  This would be a nice addition for any artillery collection.  $55.00  Ordering Information  or  Questions

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PC2230
                One 2 Inch Grape Shot

   
   This 2 inch grape shot was recovered from an area north of Jefferson Barracks in St. Louis, Missouri.  According to the digger, he and his son were out digging for bottles and found this grape shot along with a cache of 1 and 2 inch canister shot.  Jefferson Barracks, named to honor Thomas Jefferson, served as a major training site and hospital facility before, during and after the Civil War.  To read more about this post and to see an impressive list of Civil War generals stationed there, click this link to Jefferson Barracks.  This particular grape shot is in very good condition and will make for an excellent display.  The grape shot in the picture is the exact one you will receive.  SOLD

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PC2182
                Exploded Parrot Shell Fragment - Top Half

This is the top half of an exploded model 1860 US Read-Parrott shell that was excavated in the area of Bristow Station which is in Prince William County, VA.   The shell fragment is approximately 4 1/4 inches in length and is 2 .87 inches in diameter.  The shell, originally 8 3/4 inches in length, used a wood drive-in fuse and was fired from a 10-pounder 2.9 inch caliber Parrott rifle.  It has been lightly clear coated to preserve the iron. This artillery relic, with its Virginia history, will make a excellent addition to any office, den or fire place hearth or mantle.  SOLD

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PC1783
                  Canister Shot and Fuse Parts

This grouping includes 8 mostly 1-1.5 inch canister shot and various brass and zinc fuse parts.  There are the remnants of Bormann fuses, a dated Schenkl fuse remnant, a brass plug etc...These items were all recovered by the late James Renfrow, Sr. of Richmond, Va.  Mr. Renfrow had hunted various areas east of  Richmond, VA.  $75.00  Ordering Information  or  Questions?

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PC1882
               30 Pounder Parrott Shell Nose & Zinc Fuse Adaptor

This 30 pounder Parrott shell nose fragment is still attached to its zinc fuse adaptor.  Two pieces of the iron nose were found separately and have been bonded back together.  The fuse adaptor is complete and was still attached to the iron when recovered.  This artillery relic was recovered in the area of Petersburg, VA. and will make an impressive addition to any Civil War relic collection.  $165.00   Ordering Information  or  Questions?

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PC2136
               Fired 3 inch Hotchkiss Shell Nose and Lead Sabot

This Hotchkiss shell nose and sabot is a fantastic looking fired example.  The nose is in very good condition and, while missing its base cup, it still retains the lead sabot which is securely attached.   The Hotchkiss noses alone are typically readily available but finding a fired example with the sabot still attached is unusual.  The sabots were typically thrown from the shell upon firing.  As you will see in the additional pictures of this shell, the sabot is flared up from the bottom of the shell caused from the blast which apparently wasn't strong enough to detach it.  At the top of the shell is the brass Hotchkiss percussion fuse, with its head measuring approximately 1.15 inches in diameter,  it is still present though it is missing its anvil cap and other inner workings probably due to firing.  These fuses were patented by B.B. Hotchkiss which was granted on February 24, 1863.  This shell, with its base cup, originally weighed approximately 8 lbs. 7 oz. and was approximately 6 5/8 inches in length.  This fine fired example weighs approximately 6.6 lbs. and is approximately 5 3/4 inches long.  This shell is inactive and, at some point in time, it was very lightly clear coated.   Recovered in the eastern Henrico area of Richmond, Va., this relic will look great in any any battlefield display in any den or office.  $225.00  Ordering Information  or  Questions?

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PC2062
                  7 Canister Shot

Six of the seven canister shot are approximately 3/4 inch size with the middle example being approximately one inch in diameter.  The six smaller shot show a noticeable sprue on each.  The seven included in the picture are the seven you will receive.  These all come from a collection of relics assembled in northern Va. over several decades.  SOLD

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PC1975
                           3 Inch Dyer Case Shot with Pointed Nose

This excavated 3 inch Dyer case shot is in very good condition.  The iron is smooth with only very light pitting.  Its sabot, a lead cup, shows four deep flame grooves is present and is slightly more pitted than the iron body.  The zinc fuse adaptor is present with both spanner holes visible.  It has been deactivated by having been drilled directly into the fuse adaptor.  It appears that it was very lightly clear coated long ago.  This particular example, with its pointed nose, is a harder to find and will make an excellent addition to any collection.  $495.00  Ordering Information  or  Questions?

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PC1725
               US Coehorn Mortar Shell for 12 Pounder

This excavated US Coehorn mortar shell for 12 pounder is in very good condition.  The iron is very smooth with very mild pitting and shows a mold seam along its equator.  The wood drive-in fuse hole measures 7/8 inch across and the weight of the shell is 8 lbs.  This example has been cleaned, very lightly clear coated.  Approximately 4.52 inches in diameter.   $275.00   Ordering Information  or  Questions

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PC1874

                                   Limber Chest

This limber chest is one of two discovered in December, 2007, in an 18th century barn, on the land of an 18th century home site, in Amelia County, Va.  Both chests are of Confederate manufacture and use, and are identified.  This particular chest, as was the other, was used by the 12th Va. Inf. to carry military paper (pay vouchers and associated company documents) and was in the possession of Sgt. Robert C. Osborne, at the war's end.  Osborne, a native of Petersburg and original member of the famed Petersburg Grays, served throughout the war with the 12th Va. (formed in 1861 from the Grays) , attached to Mahone's brigade, seeing heavy action throughout the Petersburg campaign, including being in the forefront at the re-taking of the Crater, as depicted in John Elder's famous painting.  Although Osborne's family lived in Petersburg, they owned a farm, Laurel Grove, in Amelia; here the family raised tobacco, and it was here that Sgt. Osborne left three limber chests during the Confederate Army's retreat through Amelia, on the fateful trip culminating at Appomattox Courthouse.  The chests have apparently been in the very barn where Osborne left them so long ago, until their recent removal. The current owner of Laurel Grove is a direct descendant of Robert C. Osborne.

This chest, which is exceedingly rare, maintains its original paint, as well as a rare rolled, iron / tin covering on the lid; directly beneath this sheet iron lid is about 70% of the original black painted oil cloth, placed between the sheet iron and wooden lid for weatherproofing and as an anti-spark mechanism.  Apparently, this oil cloth originally extended over the sheet iron top, as a small swatch of oil cloth remains attached to the iron top. The tacks and tack holes used to affix the oil cloth are still quite visible along the lip of the underside of the chest lid. (See period photograph of two limber chests used by the famed Washington Artillery).  The chest is in decent "barn condition" - it is missing one cast iron handle and does have a small section of rodent damage to one back corner of the lid. Also, the right rear corner of the floor of the chest is damaged (as seen in the pictures).  Inside the chest, which was probably made to transport 12 pndr. case shot, all bolt heads are covered with zinc squares, attached to the wooden walls via brass tacks.  The shell divider holders are present and are tacked to front and rear of walls of the box via brass tacks.  An extremely rare artifact in and of itself, this limber chest is identified with the attributed unit being one of the more famous members of the Army of Northern Virginia.  Full documentation and guarantee will accompany the limber chest.  The two 12 pounder cannonballs and artillery sword pictured with the chest are not included and are there for a size reference only.  The two balls are approximately 4.5 inches in diameter.  The availability of a limber chest, in this condition, with a solid provenance, is one of those "once in a lifetime opportunities".  

Length including handle..........................48"
Length, not including handle...................44 and 1/4"
Width ..................................................22 and 1/2"
Height, including handle.........................21 and 1/2"
Height, not including handle...................17 and 1/4"

Delivery of this item will require special arrangements with the purchaser and will need to be discussed prior to completion of the sale.
  $4,695.00   Ordering Information  or  Questions

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PC1844
               US Naval Watercap Fuse

This US naval watercap fuse is in good condition and is marked with an anchor along with the letters and date "ORD D 1861".  According to Charles H. Jones' book "Artillery Fuses of the Civil War", this fuse was designed by Cyrus Alger.  By 1857 this design was perfected and used throughout the Civil War.  One special aspect of this new design was the fact that it included a bushing, made of brass, which allowed one size fuse to fit several calibers.  Another improvement was the watercap with its crooked channel which prevented the flame from being snuffed out by the water.   In this particular example the threaded watercap is still present in the top of the fuse as well as a portion of the paper time fuse which is visible from the bottom.  Approximately 2.5 inches in length and 1.25 inches in diameter at the head.  $130.00   Ordering Information  or  Questions?

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PC1842

              Hotchkiss Shell Nose with Brass Fuse Adaptor

This brass fuse adaptor still retains the Hotchkiss shell nose and was recovered in the general area of Petersburg, Va.  Blasted apart from the rest of the shell, the adaptor is in remarkably good condition with the iron nose is still securely attached.  The adaptor measures approximately 1.94 inches in length and 1.16 inches in head diameter.  This relic will make a an excellent display piece for any artillery collection.  $155.00   Ordering Information  or  Questions

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PC1841
               US Seacoast Watercap Artillery Fuse

 This rarely seen US seacoast watercap artillery fuse was developed by Cyrus Alger as an improvement  upon the wooden fuse which had been problematic.  The book by Charlie Jones "Artillery Fuses of the Civil War" shows a similar example of this fuse in the middle at the bottom of page 6.  This fuse appears to have been used as the top portion shows signs of being driven into the shell.  The length is 2.80 inches.  $210.00  
Ordering Information  or  Questions

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PC1263
                    Exploded Hotchkiss Percussion Fuse

This item is what is left of a of an exploded Hotchkiss percussion fuse and is from the collection of Richard E. Clem of Maryland.  The top part of the fuse has blown off as well as part of the cylinder.  This artillery relic was definitely in the mix of war and will make for a great display piece for battlefield found relics.  A relic hunter since the early sixties Mr. Clem dug these items in various battlefields and campsites in the area of Berryville, VA as well as Charles Town, WV.  For more information about relic hunter Richard Clem click the link on his name above.  $35.00  Ordering Information  or  Questions?

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