Artillery Projectiles — Civil War Artillery

During the American Civil War more varieties of artillery projectiles and cannon were used than in any other time in military history. The outbreak of hostilities in 1861 found inventors on both sides searching for the perfect blend of sabot, body, and fuze to create the artillery projectile that would give the military advantage to their respective cannoneers. This seemingly unending search for that elusive, perfect projectile continued even after the end of the Civil War.

The following pictorial guide has been designed to benefit the beginning collector as well as the more advanced student. Each page is designed to serve as a quick reference guide for the most common varieties of artillery projectiles, helping point out many of the more subtle differences between apparently similar projectiles.

Classification System

Pattern

The most significant classification — primarily based on the date of the patent, or if unavailable, the first known field recovery. Designations generally follow a chronological order of development within that projectile style.

Sub-Pattern

Within a specific pattern, several significant variations in body, sabot, or fuzing may exist. Example: James Pattern I, Sub-pattern II projectile — commonly called a tie-ring James.

Variant

Minor differences within a pattern or sub-pattern — such as a wooden drive-in paper time fuze adapter versus a threaded paper time fuze adapter. These minor differences are considered variants.

Cross-Section Views

Internal construction views (half-shells) showing the sabot, body, and fuze arrangement of the most common projectile patterns. Essential for understanding how Civil War projectiles functioned.