Smooth-sided Read-Parrott projectiles were initially manufactured with a tapered
fuze-well which took a wooden fuze plug. The copper fuze plug in this example indicates a
later production. Confederate Read-Parrott projectiles with a smooth-sided appearance
continued until the difficulties in production led to the development of the bourrelets at
some foundries. The bourrelet was developed in order to speed up manufacturing, by saving
on tooling time. Several foundries, including the Atlanta Arsenal, were able to
manufacture the smooth sided pattern throughout the war. The surface of the projectile
parallel to the sides of the bore had to be machined to the required dimension to allow
for windage.
