Federal

James Canister Pattern I

 

DIAMETER:  3.70 inches
GUN:  14-pounder James rifle 3.8-inch caliber
LENGTH:  8 inches
WEIGHT:  13 pounds, 3 ounces
CONSTRUCTION:  Canister
SABOT:  Lead ring covered with a tin sleeve
FUZING:  None
This extremely rare excavated specimen illustrates the construction of the James canister. Note the iron canister balls exposed by the partially missing tin plate. A James Canister Pattern I sabot was used for the base. The placement of the tin sheeting over the lead sabot was an attempt to keep the lead from fouling the grooves of the rifled cannon during firing. The majority of James canisters have been recovered from Shiloh and Fort Pillow, Tennessee. This unfired pictured example was recovered from the April 1862 battle of Shiloh, Tennessee.