Civil War Confederate 12 lb Howitzer Shell
Original Civil War ground dug Confederate Howitzer shell with an original, vintage typed letter of authenticity. The letter reads:
12 lbr. Confederate Howitzer Shell
Background Information:
The shell you have purchased is one among a cache of one hundred unearthed in January 1986. It is a polygonal cavity of either the Diamond or Pentagonal fragmentation pattern. It was manufactured at the Selma, Alabama arsenal and was to be used at the eastern defences of Mobile. Each shell found had its wood fuse adapter and sabot intact. When originally discovered, these shells were covered with two or three feet of wet sandy clay; which accounts for the wood having survived these many years. Great pains have been taken to preserve these shells, they were soaked in a chemical bath, vacuum dried, then boiled in wax. However, the following precautions should be observed: never subject the shell to freezing temperatures, do not tamper with the wax coating, do not remove the sabots. Should you notice the shell “sweating” you may return it to me to be retreated. Please include return postage. Any black encrustation on the sabots is gunpowder, these were “fixed rounds” with silk powder bags tied to the sabots, some remains of the powder bags were found; but could not be saved. It is interesting to note that a 100 lbr. (fired) was found among the 121 br’, fortunately it ran true to form and did not explode. Had it done so I would now have a very fine collection of fragments. I hope you enjoy this rare and unusual relic. Your comments and questions are welcome.
Price: SOLD
