Civil War Confederate Read shell nose w/threads and band, dug at Taneytown Rd./Fantasyland, Gettysburg

This is another piece coming out of the large Gettysburg collection I acquired.  It is the nose section of a Confederate Read Shell, measuring 3 ¾” x 2” x ½” thick. It has the distinctive raised ring and part of the fuse threads. I also show a complete shell for comparison (see pictures). This piece was recovered off the Taneytown Road, Gettysburg at the site of where the amusement park “Fantasyland” was located (see map).

This was a storybook-themed amusement park that operated from 1959 to 1980 and was located near the back entrance to the Visitors Center, land that is now home to the Gettysburg National Military Park.  The park featured various attractions based on fairy tales and children's stories, but its proximity to the hallowed ground of the Civil War battlefield was always a source of controversy. 

In my book “Battle of Gettysburg – The Relics, Artifacts & Souvenirs”, I show similar pieces that were recovered at Gettysburg and go into more details on this relic and others (see pictures).  This piece is very clean with no chipping or flaking, indicative of an early recovery. A certificate of authenticity will be provided with this artifact.