Also known as: Dyer shell, Dyer bolt.
In the Half Shell Book: This subject is treated in Civil War Artillery Projectiles: The Half Shell Book, pp. 210-224.
| Class | Federal rifled projectile |
|---|---|
| Associated with | Alexander B. Dyer, U.S. Ordnance |
| Forms | Shell and case-shot |
| Common caliber | 3-inch |
Description
The Dyer projectile, associated with the Federal ordnance officer Alexander B. Dyer, was a rifled projectile with a lead sabot at the base that expanded into the rifling on firing. It is found most often in 3-inch caliber, made as explosive shell and as case-shot.
Recovered Dyer projectiles appear with several fuzing arrangements, including zinc time and Schenkl percussion fuzes, and some captured Dyer case-shot were converted for use by the Confederates. Postwar Dyer projectiles are also known.
On this site
Sources & further reading
- Melton, Jack W., Jr. Civil War Artillery Projectiles: The Half Shell Book. Blue Ridge, GA: Historical Publications LLC, 2018.
- Hackley, Frank W. Civil War Explosive Ordnance. Revised November 10, 1960. U.S. Naval School, Explosive Ordnance Disposal.
- United States Military Academy Ordnance Museum. A Descriptive Catalogue of the Collection.