Civil War Union Schenkl Artillery Shell, recovered at Spanish Fort, Alabama (SOLD)

This is another nice piece being offered, it is a Union 10-pounder Schenkl shell. It has its original Schenkl Combination Fuse, but it sustained some damage after firing. These projectiles were manufactured in the Federal arsenals, following the design of John P. Schenkl. The sabot system consisted of a "forcing cone" paper sleeve, which was intended to expand into the rifling, then flutter away after firing. This shell was recovered at the Spanish Fort, Alabama Battlefield.

In March 1865, Union General Canby's XIII and XVI Corps moved along the eastern shore of Mobile Bay, forcing the Confederates back into their defenses. Union forces then concentrated on Spanish Fort and Fort Blakely. On March 27, Canby's forces rendezvoused at Danley's Ferry and immediately undertook a siege of Spanish Fort. The Union had enveloped the fort by April 1, and on April 8 captured it. Most of the Confederate forces, under the command of Brigadier General Randall L. Gibson, escaped and fled to Mobile, but Spanish Fort was no longer a threat.

This is a very solid shell and overall, the iron is generally smooth, but it does have some finger nail size smooth pits in several places. There is no chipping or flaking and the shell has been coated for preservation. The shell has been deactivated so it is now 100% safe.