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Very Rare! Civil War Union 200-pounder Parrott Artillery Shell from Ft. Fisher, NC (SOLD)

Out of Stock

$2,100.00 $1,450.00
(You save $650.00)

Product Description

This is a rare Civil War artillery shell being offered, it is a Union 200-pounder Parrott shell. The projectile was manufactured in the Federal arsenals following development of Parrott's patent. The sabot, referred to as "type II", utilized a thin wide brass band which was softer and more flexible than wrought iron, secured to the base with rabbets. However performance was poor, the thin soft brass sabot either failed to take the rifling or had a tendency to separate on firing, resulting in shards of brass flying into the backs of the forward infantry.

However for large caliber guns, fired from ships or forts, flying sabots was less of a problem and this pattern of sabot became the primary convention for siege guns. This high band brass sabot separated on firing, which also took a piece of the iron base. This shell was an early recovery from Fort Fisher, North Carolina and was probably fired from one of the ships which were firing on the Confederate fort.

In December 1864, Union Major General Benjamin Butler, together with the Expeditionary Corps of the Army of the James, was detached from the Virginia Theater for an amphibious mission to capture Fort Fisher. He was joined by Rear Admiral David Dixon Porter who commanded Union naval forces already in the region.

After being informed about the large Union army heading toward Wilmington, General Lee ordered Major General Robert Hoke's Division to Fort Fisher. Also, Hoke took command of all Confederate forces in the Wilmington area.

The Union attack started on December 24, 1864 with a naval bombardment. The firepower of Fort Fisher was temporarily silenced because some of its gun positions exploded. This allowed the Navy to land Union infantry. The landing force was intercepted by the arrival of Hoke's troops. The Union attack was effectively thwarted, and on December 27 Benjamin Butler ordered the withdrawal of his 1,000 soldiers who were still on the beach. This was in defiance of Grant's orders, which were to besiege the fort if the assault failed. Because Butler disobeyed his orders, he was relieved of command by Grant.

Due to its early recovery this shell is in very nice condition with no real chipping or flaking. As with most of these large shells, the fuse and sabot are gone, this is why the shell survived by not being blown up. It stands 19" high with a diameter of 8". I took a picture of a 10-pounder Parrott shell next to the 200-pounder just to show the difference in size. It is disarmed with no powder and100% safe. Shipping this shell would be difficult, so I would need it picked up or might be able to bring it to a destination within reason (please email me to discuss delivery). These large shells (especially 200 pounders) are almost impossible to find anymore. They really make a statement with any Civil War collection.

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Quantity:
SKU:
0705161
Shipping:
$100.00 (Fixed shipping cost)