| Typically the short
variety of the 20-pounder (3.67-inch caliber) Read-Parrott shell was filled with lead
case-shot balls. The projectile was shorter in order to keep the weight under 20 pounds,
due to the added case-shot material. The wrought iron sabot was cast first and suspended
in a mold around which the iron body was poured, thus embedding the sabot during this
casting process. This was unlike the later production brass Parrott sabots which were cast
directly onto the body. Parrott patented an improvement upon Read's sabot design;
therefore, the name Read-Parrott is assign to all Federal and Confederate projectiles with
this iron sabot style and body design. |
