Description: This is a LARGE and HEAVY cannon ball fragment (19 & 1/2pounds) from one of the biggest artillery shells used during the American Civil War and recovered from the Confederate Fort Fisher battlefield years ago. This is a 19+ pound iron fragment from a 15 inch, US Navy fired, round ball. This large shell was fired from a XV-inch Dahlgren Smoothbore Gun. These cannons were one of the largest in the United State Navy inventory in 1865 and were carried on Navy Warships during the Civil War The original, complete shell, had a diameter of 14.8 inches with a weight of 329 pounds. The shell was 2.8 inches thick and many had an innovative 3 fuse detonation system which proved very effective. This fragment displays one of those fuse channels. This shell fragment thickness mic’s out at 2.787 inches thick. This shell fragment was recovered during a canceled construction project near the Fort Site over 40 years ago by a local relic hunter. This shell fragment thickness mic’s out a 2.787 and shows the oxidation and pitting of over 130 years of being buried in the sand dunes of the former Confederate Fort site, even after cleaning. It has a .175-inch drill hole in the inside casing where the electrolysis node for cleaning was attached. It has undergone electrolysis for cleaning to remove most of the rust and has a coating of ebony stain for display purposes. (Not the most professional job of staining, but it has looked good on my shelf for years). There is an old 3" x 1.25" paper tag glued on the outer fragment face. The fragment is 9 inches long at its longest point and 4.74 inches wide at its widest point (approximate). It shows the remnants of a fuse channel at one end. This frag, like a few others, has been in my personal collection for well over 30 years and I am now having to downsizing. Short History: The first major Battle of Fort Fisher, was a naval artillery siege that took place during the American Civil War from December 24–27, 1864. The Union Army and Navy, led by Major General Benjamin Butler, attempted to capture the fort that protected the Port of Wilmington, North Carolina, the South's last major Atlantic port. The battle resulted int he Union Navy withdrawal and a temporary Confederate victory. However, the Union Navy and Army returned later in January 1865 with a more forceful attack from both land and sea, resulting in a very bloody battle and the eventual capture of Fort Fisher. This is a very interesting time during the American Civil War and there are many good books that go in-depth on its history. Historic Fort Fisher is now a protected NC State Historic Site with restored battery mounds, cannons, walking paths, and a new visitor center opening in 2024-2025. (Metal detecting is now strictly prohibited). Wooden base is not included with shell. I only ship to the lower 48 states. No overseas shipping. This will ship in a Medium Flat Rate Box (Post Office hates me for this). So prepare for the box to be a bit beat up on arrival. I always try to insulate the inside the box with extra cardboard and padding.
Price: 199 USD
Location: Wilmington, North Carolina
End Time: 2024-12-03T11:56:58.000Z
Shipping Cost: N/A USD
Product Images
Item Specifics
All returns accepted: ReturnsNotAccepted
Conflict: Civil War (1861-65)
Original/Reproduction: Original
Theme: Militaria
Country/Region of Manufacture: United States