Encyclopedia of Black Powder Artillery Projectiles Found in North America; 1759-1865

Volume II (427 pages) is a comprehensive listing of fuses (spherical and rifled) and spherical projectiles found in North American. Chapter 7 details how to inspect and identify black powder projectiles, explains the reasons for variances between identical specimens; provides rarity and condition code assignment with their definitions and rationale; and inspection techniques to determine whether there is reason to believe a projectile is inert or still explosive. Chapter 8 provides...
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Volume II (427 pages) is a comprehensive listing of fuses (spherical and rifled) and spherical projectiles found in North American. Chapter 7 details how to inspect and identify black powder projectiles, explains the reasons for variances between identical specimens; provides rarity and condition code assignment with their definitions and rationale; and inspection techniques to determine whether there is reason to believe a projectile is inert or still explosive. Chapter 8 provides internal and external diagrams and pictures; measurements; weights, functioning; specifications; descriptions of variants; and general, technical data and history on the fuses for spherical and rifled projectile fuses found in North America for all countries and services (American, British, French, Mexican, Spanish, Russian, U.S. pre-Civil War, Union and Confederate 1759?1865). Chapter 9 contains listings of known American, British, French, Mexican, Spanish, Russian, U.S. pre-Civil War, Union and Confederate spherical projectiles (1759-1865); including solid shot, cored shot, shell, case shot, smooth bore canister, grape shot, carcass, incendiary shells, repeating sub-munitions, bar shot, chain shot, and special purpose antique ammunition. Volume II also contains appendixes that allow projectiles or grape and canister shot to be cross referenced to specific projectiles or guns, howitzers or mortars by looking up the diameter of a specimen. The projectile tables include history, diagrams, pictures and specifications; diameters, weights, bursting charges, variants; text and footnotes containing additional information. In addition, each projectile listed contains cross references to most known projectile books (1780?2003) that contain a similar specimen(s), picture, data or text, making additional research easier. Volume II is the first in a series of five volumes. Volume III (Confederate Rifled Projectiles); Volume IV (Union Rifled Projectiles, Subterra Mines, Hand Grenades and War Rockets); Volume V (Historical Notes on the Deactivation of Black Powder Projectiles) and Volume I (Background Information, Preservation and Technical Data) are pending publication.