Confederate

Read

 

DIAMETER:  2.93 inches
GUN:  3-inch wrought iron (ordnance) rifle
LENGTH:  7 1/2 inches
WEIGHT:  Not applicable due to chipped iron base
CONSTRUCTION:  Shell
SABOT:  Copper ring
FUZING:  Copper fuze plug (missing), paper time fuze
The poor quality of iron used in the Confederate manufactured projectiles is evident in this specimen. When the sabot was forced into the grooves of the rifle during firing, the expansion often broke the iron around the base of the projectile. Due to this chipping problem, Dr. Read developed a groove to allow the sabot room for forward displacement during expansion. This groove between the sabot and the iron body is known as the "Read safety groove."  Note the impression of the seven lands and grooves from the 3-inch wrought iron (ordnance) rifle on the copper sabot. This pictured specimen is located in the West Point Museum in New York.