Items from The Early Years are from such collections as the Spangler, Trostle, and Weikert Farm Collections, as well as the Danner, Ziegler, Dr. Stewart Museum/Collections.
The Modern Era artifacts were found during the 1940's - 1970's. In John P. Geiselman's personal catalog list there are references to such well known Gettysburg Battlefield locations as: Big Round Top, Little Round Top, Devil's Den, Wheat Field, Culp's Hill, Oak Ridge, and the East Cavalry Field.
A BRIEF BIOGRAPHY - JOHN P. GEISELMAN
The Horse Soldier is pleased to offer a number of items from the John P. Geiselman collection, a collection that was on display for many years at the Geiselman Country Store Museum on Barlow - Two Taverns Road. Geiselman began his collecting as a child in the early 1920s, and during the pre-World II period had access to artifacts that had been purchased earlier at the estate sales of the Trostle, Rogers, Rose, Weikert, and Wentz farms - local properties that figured prominently in the battle and its aftermath. During this period he had access as well to the Hill , Plank, and Stewart collections, and was able to acquire other items that had been sold from turn-of-the-century relics establishments such as the Danner, Ziegler, and Oak Ridge Museums. Furthermore, Geiselman carefully documented most artifacts, and collectors perusing the list will be able to note, in many instances, not only the source of the relic and the date of its recovery, but also the part of the battlefield from which it came. In other words, his collection is the last major grouping of Gettysburg artifacts assembled and documented by a local resident.
In Memoriam
We wish to pay tribute to the memory of John Geiselman, and we would begin by saying that our initial acquaintance with John was similar to that of many other Gettysburg families. He served as the junior high school custodian between 1965 and 1989, and in this role became a friend to an entire generation of Gettysburg school children, the Smalls included. Passing through the school in the early to mid 70s, future Horse Soldier proprietors Sam and Wes Small brought home many a tale of John's extra-curricular artistic endeavors…….it seems that the school janitor was an accomplished yodeler and harmonica player, in addition to being a published poet and a remarkably talented blackboard chalk sketch artist.
For the historically inclined, John had up his sleeve lectures and stories of his rambles round the area in search of Indian artifacts. Wes Small specifically recalls his suggestions on how to "read" light and shade when scanning for arrowheads, a major Geiselman pre-occupation. Later on, through his Civil War collecting, John became acquainted with the boys' father, Chet Small, and from the late '70s through his death (on 9/11/2001!) he enjoyed a most cordial relationship with the Horse Soldier and the entire Small family.
Any tribute to John Geiselman must mention the considerable adversity he experienced as a child. If he was to exude kindly cheer to Gettysburg kids in later life, the cheer was hard-won, for in his own childhood John had been abandoned in the worst circumstances imaginable. He was born on August 8, 1916, and christened John Henry Plank. By 1922 John and his biological family had been reduced to poverty so extreme that on Christmas Day his father sent the six year old boy with a basket to beg for food at various houses on Baltimore Street. Tragically, his mother died three weeks later. In desperation , his jobless and penniless father felt compelled to leave John and a younger brother and sister with a neighbor lady, Adelphia Winebrenner, on the promise that she would find homes for them. Adelphia fulfilled her promise, prompting John to later characterize her as "An Angel From Heaven."
The boy was taken in as a foster child by George and Elsie Geiselman, a childless couple in their early thirties who had a sizable home and farm on the Barlow - Two Taverns Road, not far from the J. Carnahan Smith Country Store which would inspire him to open a similar establishment in later years. In the nurturing atmosphere provided by the Geiselman's, young John began to blossom and thrive, exhibiting a artist's sensitivity to things and people around him. Attending a different school, and no longer living in fear of bullies and being taunted about poverty, he soon was writing poems galore, drawing sketches, beginning to yodel and in short, pursuing the same activities that would entertain Gettysburg junior high school kids fifty years later.
Assisting with the Geiselman farm, John was to remain a farmer through his foster father's death in 1957. Soon after, his aging mother, who he lived with and cared for, sold most of the farm acreage, and John was compelled to seek another livelihood, in 1964 (the same year that he legally changed his name to John Plank Geiselman) joined the custodial staff at the Gettysburg school. In the same time frame Geiselman pursued his love of antiques and in the early 1970s achieved his dream of opening his own "country store" on the Barlow - Two Taverns road, modeled on the earlier J. Carnahan Smith store that had been operated by his maternal grandparents. In the 1996 Geiselman published a volume of "REFLECTIONS" in which he explained the motive that prompted him to found his store and assemble his artifacts in a museum.
"The old country store…..Even to this day, as I tend to it and sort through the memorabilia, it brings close the memory of my foster parents and grandparents and a special time in my life. This, with the Indian artifacts, and Civil War relics, I'm leaving a bit of history here where it was found."
Although the fates dealt John Geiselman some extremely rough blows as a child, with the help of Adelphia Winebrenner, the Geiselmans (and, very probably, an entire generation of Gettysburg junior high students), he pushed through it with courage and fortitude. To the very end he maintained remarkable fidelity to family and friends. He was, by every yardstick, a very good man.
At the turn of the nineteenth century, many G.A.R. posts possessed "pyramids" made of relics from various Civil War battlefields. In the fashion of the time, these relic pyramids usually stood four feet in height, each of their four sides filled with fascinating artifacts, the majority of which were identified by item descriptions painted in at the time of construction.
This Antietam pyramid bears an inscription indicating that it was "Made in 1896 by F. Hayes De Launey". Our research reveals that Frank Hayes De Launey was a resident of Sharpsburg, MD who was born in 1877. He worked in 1900 as a house painter and the 1910 census lists him as married to "Mary E. . ." and as the father to a daughter and two sons. He had a brother William who also is listed as a painter. By 1920 he had become a carpenter but disappears from later records. This particular piece matches the style of other G.A.R. pyramids and it is highly likely that De Launey created other Antietam pyramids to capitalize on the interest of G.A.R. and other Civil War veterans.
All of the inscriptions of relics listed below are done in paint and some are difficult to read. The inventory of relics on each of the pyramid's four sides is accompanied by several photos of the same.
This item from John Plank Geiselman's collection was acquired by Mr. Geiselman at the 1971 sale of the O.T. Reilly Museum in Antietam. Reilly's museum and souvenir shop, which was in operation in the early 1900's, was located on the square in Sharpsburg, MD. He was well known as a battlefield guide at Antietam, and wrote a guide book in 1906.
Inscription: "This Monument Contains over (illegible) hundred pieces / Made in 1896 by F. Hayes DeLauney".
Contains the following:
- Jeff Davis Hardee hat insignia - Texas cuff button - Vest-size adjuster buckle - Artillery shell fuse adapter - Musket breech plug - Canteen stopper (missing cork) - Pocket knife remains - Austrian Lorenz cleaning jag - Lockplate & hammer from US M1855 Springfield (Maynard tape door missing) - US Staff Officer's button "Dunkard Church" - Enfield rifle-musket sight - Locking ring from a bayonet - 6" section of a ramrod - Musket ball puller - US box plate with a round musket ball imbedded in the center - Knapsack hook - US buckle surrounded by 17 US bullets with the initials on each for location of recovery, i.e. DC - Dunkard Church - Cartridge box buckle with remains of leather attaching strap - M1816 butt plate - Small swatch of brown cloth - Sideplate from M1842 musket - Front nose cap/strap for musket (smashed flat) - US M1842 bayonet with approximately 6" of blade - Shell fragment, nose section of 30 pound Parrott shell - Copper sabot from Mullane shell - Bullet in wood "This was cut from a tree in Public Square in Sharpsburg" - bullet missing
Inscription at bottom: "Every Relic Found on Antietam Battlefield".
- Artillery shell spanner plug - Portion of artillery cross cannon insignia - US rifleman's button - Two naval cuff buttons - Musket wrench - Small US plate (probably box plate) "found on Roulett Farm near Bloody Lane" - "Piece of Confederate Shirt" - Ball puller - Musket wrench - Carbine sling buckle "Burnsides Bridge" - New York State coat button - New York State cuff button - A beautiful struck eagle breast plate - Bormann artillery time fuse - Musket worm - "US" box plate with "McF" on face in yellow paint surrounded with 17 bullets each with initials carved in them indicating location of recovery - Iron canister plate surrounded by 24 round lead musket balls - Austrian cleaning jag
This side also decorated with information on the battle "Number of Union Soldiers killed was 2010 - Wounded 9416 - Missing 1043 - total 12463 - Number of Confederates killed was not exactly known".
Inscription at bottom: "After 30 years Antietam Battle fought Sept 17, 1862".
- Musket barrel band surrounded by 8 bullets with initials for location of recovery - Nose cap surrounded by 5 bullets - Italian Carcano bullet - Prussian 2-ring .69 cal. Bullet - Portion of infantry insignia - Gun tool - Eagle button - Enfield rifle-musket sight - Gallagher carbine bullet with casing - Two Austrian cleaning jags - Two sections of ramrods - "Hawkins Zouave" button - Two eagle coat buttons - Eagle cuff button - Eagle breast plate with "McF" on face in yellow paint surrounded by 14 bullets - Knapsack hook - Finial for bayonet scabbard - Two musket wrenches/gun tools - Seven Federal buttons - one a "Dragoon" - Two small pieces of blue uniform cloth, each placed inside a 5-pointed star - US "A" artillery coat button - Iron canister plate with 24 Union bullets surrounding it - US M1842 musket lockplate and hammer - Iron canister ball - Canteen stopper less cork - Portion of a snaffle bit
- Eagle "I" coat button - Eagle "D" coat button - Eagle coat button - Eagle "R" coat button - Canteen spout - Two spanner plugs - Shoulder scale straps - Coin-style button - Eagle coat button - US buckle surrounded by 16 round balls - Knapsack hook - Piece of granite from National Cemetery - Flower button - Two pieces of blue uniform cloth inside t-pointed painted stars - Wood with "this is a piece of stump of a tree which Gen. Reno fell - SE side of South Mountain" - Large section of brown cloth - Saddle "O" ring - 6" section of leather belt - Portion of shoe leather sole and heel - Austrian Lorenz front nose cap/band - US M1842 nose cap/front band - Early musket band with sling swivel - M1816 musket stock section from near area where barrel meets tang including the butt plate. Initials "JWS" carved in stock side. - Artillery fuse adapter casing - "Piece of shell out of Reform Church" at base
Base is covered with shell fragments and Union and Confederate bullets. All the edges are also decorated with bullets from top to bottom. Bottom four corners each with a canister ball.
Atop pyramid is a CS 3" Mullane shell which we did not realize was the top of the monument until we had written it up separately in an earlier listing. Fortunately we caught our error. The shell is a CS 3" Bourreleted Short-Nose Mullane common shell from Roulette Farm, Antietam. This painted, artillery artifact is a Confederate, bourreleted, short-nose Mullane shell projectile with Type 1 sabot found on the Roulette farm in Antietam shortly after that battle. Shell retains much of its period-painted décor on the body and nose. Projectile is missing its sabot, two of the three iron studs at the base, and also its time fuse adapter. Used in 3" Ordnance Rifles, this artillery round measures 6.75" long with a diameter of 2.94" and weighs approximately 7 pounds. The decorative painting on the shell denotes the location, date and time that the projectile was found. Entire shell was painted black and then labeled in gold and orange paint that was hand written. Much of the paint has flaked off the body but a portion of it can be made out to read "Found / On the / Roulette / Farm / Near Union / Lines / Nov --, 1896". Nose section has a painted inscription " FROM THE FARM…WHERE…". Unfortunately 75% of the paint is missing from this area.
Although the G.A.R. pyramids may be glimpsed in old photographs and in museum collections (the Gettysburg National Military Park possesses several nearly-identical specimens), very seldom are they offered for sale. Indeed, never in our thirty plus years of buying and selling Civil War artifacts have we had a chance to offer the public one of these extraordinary G.A.R. post battle relic "pyramids". This piece ranks with the choicest relics we've seen. By every standard, a superb collectible!
This Confederate 12-pounder smoothbore spherical shell specimen is in fine original condition and has no Borman fuse in the cavity. A very common explosive shell used in the Civil War, artifact exhibits the entire mold seam and wears a dark chocolate brown patina. Weighs 7lbs, 14 oz. Never cleaned. The 12 pounder shell is from the Pitzer Collection in Gettysburg and is identified on John Geiselman's museum listing.
From the Walters Collection. This was the standard smoothbore projectile used during the Civil War. Its purpose was to destroy fortifications, gun emplacements, charging Infantry and Cavalry. When fired on a hard surface it often would ricochet form one target to another. A distinct mold seam is visible over the entire projectile, a characteristic of the Southern Arsenals. This item was identified in John Geiselman's collection from his museum listing.
Here is a very nice CS 4.52-inch shell with a Borman time fuse. Lightly pitted, it weighs 10 ½ pounds, is fused, and was meant to be fired from a 12-pounder smooth bore gun. The shell has a nice gray patina but with a few shiny black spots. The Borman time fuse has a double wrench slot, is set at 3 seconds with a small pointed object, and still has some numbers and detents visible. There is a small hole in the bottom opposite the fuse. This projectile has a clear mold seam which sometimes identifies the origin as Confederate. The Borman fuse, however, is U.S. The fuse rim is deformed and there are a few impact marks. After 1862, almost every Federal 12-pounder smoothbore shell fired had a Borman fuse in it, making this the most common explosive shell of the War. This piece was identified in John Geiselman's collection by a contemporary tag and would make an excellent display item for an artillery, Civil War, or Gettysburg collection.
This original 12-pound spherical shell was found near General Robert E. Lee's headquarters at Gettysburg sometime after the battle. In very good condition, this spherical shell is missing its Bormann fuse but does retain its original brass underplug showing the two spanner holes and the flash hole in the center. Underplug exhibits a mellow greenish coloring. Projectile has no mold seam and exhibits fuse plug threads are sharp and distinct. Never cleaned. This artillery specimen has a hard, clean surface that wears a wonderful light brown patina overall. This 12-pounder shell found near Lee's headquarters at Gettysburg is identified by John Geiselman's contemporary inscribed label.
A very nice example of a Confederate 12-pounder smoothbore spherical shell specimen, missing the Bormann Fuse. A very common explosive shell used in the Civil War, this projectile exhibits the crude mold seam found on spherical shells/shot manufactured by Southern arsenals. Exhibits a wonderful light brown patina overall, never cleaned. Identified by a handwritten tag by John that reads, "Borman Cannon Ball From Herr's Ridge".
This original, 4.52" Confederate, Bormann-fuzed, 12-pound spherical shell was found on the Gettysburg battlefield after the battle. Recovered by Lester Worley from the fields of the Slyder Farm sometime after the fighting, this artillery specimen still retains its original, intact Borman time fuse adapter but is missing its wooden sabot. The projectile was fired from a 12-pound smoothbore field piece but was found faulty in field operations due to the fuzing of the Bormann fuse adapter. The fuse was made of a soft, white metal alloy and Southern battery commanders complained of premature explosions and poor performance. Fuse adapter plug wears a dusky gray patina and exhibits the large number sequence stamped on the fuse flange in ½ second intervals along with the long wrench slot. Fuse wears some surface dirt. Projectile has been deactivated and cleaned. Surface is smooth and hard with a pleasing, plum-brown patina overall. This CS 12-pound spherical shell, recovered from the fields of the Slyder Farm by Lester Worley at Gettysburg, is identified by John Geiselman's collection by his contemporary inscribed listing.
Here is a fine and complete Confederate, 4.52", 12-pound spherical shell with its typical CS variant-type fuse adapter. Found on East Cavalry Field in Gettysburg sometime after the battle, this artillery specimen is intact and still retains its original Southern-variant time fuse adapter which is seated tightly in the fuse cavity. Plug clearly exhibits its two spanner holes and the center powder fuse hole and bears light to moderate rusting along the circumference of the plug. The iron, spherical projectile was fired from a 12-pound smoothbore field piece. Never cleaned, the artifact's surface is hard and lightly pockmarked and bears a pleasing, plum-brown patina overall. This CS 12-pound spherical shell, recovered from East Cavalry Field in Gettysburg, is identified by John Geiselman's collection by his contemporary inscribed labels.
Found at the Sherfy farm on the Gettysburg battlefield sometime after the fighting is this Confederate 12-pound, 4.52" diameter smoothbore spherical shell in very good condition. Fused with a wood adapter and paper time fuse now missing, this type projectile was a common explosive used in the Civil War. The artillery round exhibits a light coating of surface pockmarking and wears a mottled, chocolate brown patina. Never cleaned. The 12-pounder shell was found on the Sherfy Farm in Gettysburg and is identified on John Geiselman's museum listing.
This Confederate 12-pound spherical shell was found sometime after the battle in Reynold's Woods scene of the first days' fight. This projectile which used the Bormann fuse is missing. The underplug used to protect and support the soft metal Bormann fuse during firing is intact. The round fuse opening still exhibits strong threads, which after a minor cleaning, a Bormann fuse would easily fit. The crude seam mold on the outside of the shell is visible typical of Southern Arsenals. The projectile having never been cleaned, has light "pittting" over the entire body with no surface buildup of rust/grime. Identified in John Geiselman's collection by his contemporary inscribed labels.
This item is a very nice and attractive Confederate 4.52 Inch 12 Pounder spherical shell with an old hand painted wing spread eagle and shield. It was recovered in relic condition in Reynold's Woods in Gettysburg. Very lightly pitted but never cleaned and now toned to a nice dark gray patina, it measures approximately 4-½ inches in diameter and is missing the wooden fuse plug. There are no threads in the fuse hole thereby identifying it as Confederate. The handsome hand painted eagle measures 4 inches across and unfortunately, has faded to a strong outline. This piece is identified in John Geiselman's collection by a contemporary inscribed label and comes with a small (3 inch by 3 inch by 1 inch high) painted black wooden stand. It would make a nice addition to an artillery, Civil War, or Gettysburg collection.
Found and used on the Rose Farm, this CS 12 lb. spherical shell was used on this famous farm as a weight for many years. A small 3/8" hole was drilled approx. 3" from the fuse hole itself. Used for various purposes on the farm, it is in relic condition. Having never been cleaned, this type of projectile used the Confederate wood adapter fuse plug. Identified on John Geiselman's museum collection by his museum listing.
This original 12-pound spherical shell found at Gettysburg is in very fine relic condition. Once part of the famous Ziegler Collection, this artifact was recovered from the battlefield area near Barlow's Knoll sometime shortly after the battle. The circular projectile is missing its original wood adapter for the paper time fuse and the round fuse opening exhibits no threading. Shell cavity still retains two or three lead case shot inside. Never cleaned. The smooth, hard surface of this specimen wears a wonderful light brown patina overall. Shell rests upon a contemporary wooden holder This 12-pound spherical shell, recovered from Barlow's Knoll area on the Gettysburg battlefield, is identified by John Geiselman's collection by his museum listing.
Here is an original, Confederate, 12-pound, spherical case-shot, lead side-loader shell as found on the Gettysburg battlefield sometime after the battle. Once part of the Pud Marick Collection, this fine, intact, circular projectile is missing its brass time fuse adapter. The 1½" diameter treaded opening for the adapter is prominent on the top of the shell. Directly inline with the adapter opening on the spherical side-loader is another threaded opening, 1" in diameter, made to take a lead plug. Portions of the lead plug is still visible threaded. Small round canister balls (case-shot) were poured into the sideloader shell cavity until filled and then plugged with a threaded lead plug. Still visible in the side opening are case shot secured in the black matrix. Never cleaned, the specimen has a hard, smooth surface and wears a light film of rust as well as a wonderful brown patina overall. The CS shell rests atop an original Mountain Howitzer sabot. This 12-pound spherical shell, recovered from the Rottler Farm in Gettysburg, is identified by John Geiselman's collection by his museum listings.
This original Confederate 12-pound spherical case-shot lead side-loader shell still retains its CS copper time fuse adapter as well as its lead side-loading plug. The fuse adapter is in very fine condition; lead plug has some damage from being fired. Found after the smoke house burned down, this untouched projectile has a light coating of surface grime/rust with a light coating of pitting. Here is a wonderful representative case-shot projectile from the fierce fighting that occurred on the southern part of the battlefield. Identified in John Geiselman's collection by his museum listing.
Here is a minty condition Confederate 4.52" smoothbore, spherical shell that was fired from a 12-pound field piece as used during the Civil War. Once part of the Merrick Collection, this specimen is in outstanding original condition and was found at an undisclosed location on the battlefield in Gettysburg within days of the battle. The artillery round still retains a number of original caseshot along with its original brass spanner plug, sometimes referred to as the underplug. Plug face shows wear near the two spanner holes. Unfortunately, the Borman fuse is missing but the threaded fuse opening in the body still exhibits clear and sharp threads and could easily fit another Borman fuse. This projectile has never been cleaned and has acquired a beautiful plum-colored patina overall. Surface is smooth and hard with no rust at all. This CS 12-pound spherical shell, recovered from the battlefield at Gettysburg, is identified by John Geiselman's collection by his museum listing.
This Gettysburg battle relic is a fine condition, original, 12-pound spherical caseshot shell sans the fuse. Once part of the Bob Walter Collection, this iron projectile was recovered from the battlefield at East Cavalry Field shortly after the battle. The circular shell is missing its Borman fuse but has its brass underplug still screwed into the center of the shell opening. Underplug has the Round fuse opening exhibits strong threads. Shell cavity is filled with round lead case shot, some of which has broken loose from the matrix and can be heard rolling around within the shell. Specimen has a number of impact marks to the exterior surface. Never cleaned, the specimen wears a wonderful plum colored, light brown patina overall. This 12-pound spherical shell, recovered from East Cavalry Field in Gettysburg, is identified by John Geiselman's collection by his contemporary inscribed labels.
This item is an original C.S. 3.67-Inch Smooth Read Shell; it was meant to be fired from a 20 pound Parrott rifle. Lightly pitted, this apparently unfired shell measures approximately 10-¼ inches long, 3.6 inches in diameter, and weighs 17-½ pounds. With provenance to the Danner Museum collection of Civil War items, it was found in relic condition at an unknown location in Gettysburg. The fuse and fuse adapter are missing (allowing inspection of the interior of the shell) but the threads are still visible on the inside top. This very rare shell is unusual for the pre-rifled, five-flanged copper sabot ring. This piece has the flanges plainly visible. This shell has a nice brown patina and has not been cleaned or otherwise fussed with. It has an old Danner Museum number "1" hand painted in white on the side. This item is identified in John Geiselman's collection by his museum listing and would make a nice display piece for an artillery, Civil War, or Gettysburg related collection.
This original, unfired artillery projectile is in wonderful complete condition and a Gettysburg battlefield recovery found on Warfield Ridge not long after the battle. Made for C.S. 3" Ordnance Rifles, this bourreleted Read projectile measures 7 3/8" long with a 3.25" diameter and weighs approximately 7.5 pounds. The cylindrical specimen, in excellent condition, retains its copper tapered ring sabot and its original CS copper adapter fuse plug. A small 'knock-off' spur on the shell body sits near the nose. Never cleaned. This Read shell wears light surface rust and is an early battlefield pickup from Gettysburg's Warfield Ridge. Shell is identified in John Geiselman's museum collection.
This very fine Confederate 3" Read artillery projectile is in wonderful condition and a Gettysburg battlefield recovery found on Culp's Hill sometime after the battle. Made for C.S. 3" Ordnance Rifles, this bourreleted Read shell measures 7½" long with a 3.25" diameter and weighs approximately 7.5 pounds. The cylindrical specimen, in very fine condition, retains its copper tapered ring sabot but has lost its original CS copper adapter fuse plug. The small 'knock-off' spur on the shell body is still retained near the nose. Never cleaned. This Read shell wears a dark brown patina overall along with a hard smooth surface of light rust. An early battlefield pickup from Gettysburg's Culp's Hill, this projectile is identified in John Geiselman's museum collection.
This original, unfired artillery projectile is in wonderfully complete condition and is a battlefield recovery found after the Battle of Fairfield, PA a short time after the fighting stopped. Part of the Reindollar Collection, this bourreleted Read was made for C.S. 3" Ordnance Rifles and measures 7 3/8" long with a 3.25" diameter and weighs approximately 7.5 pounds. The cylindrical specimen, in excellent condition, retains its copper tapered ring sabot in fine condition along with its original CS copper adapter fuse plug. A small 'knock-off' spur on the shell body sits near the nose. Never cleaned. This fine C.S. Read wears light surface dirt and bears a pleasing dark chocolate patina overall. An early pickup from the Battle of Fairfield just West of Gettysburg, the shell is identified in John Geiselman's museum listing.
This specimen of Civil War artillery is a Confederate 3" bourreleted Read common percussion shell with its original CS variant copper time fuse and intact copper tapered sabot. This specimen was found on the John Wibble Farm in Gettysburg sometime after the fighting. The Read pattern shell, one of the earliest models of bourreleted Reads produced for CS 3" Ordnance Rifles, has distinct bands cast around its mid section and base. The artillery round appears to never have been fired as the tapered copper ring sabot exhibits no visible lands and grooves indicative of firing. Copper time fuse adapter is intact but it has lost its original paper time fuse. Bottom base of the shell exhibits its lathe dimple. Never cleaned, the exterior of this cylindrical shell exhibits a heavily rusted and pockmarked surface that wears a dark chocolate brown patina overall. Nose portion of the body has had the lathe dog knocked off long ago. Length: 7½", diameter: 2.95", weight 7 pounds, 6 oz. This C.S. 3" bourreleted Read artillery projectile is identified in John Geiselman's collection by his museum listing.
This original fired artillery projectile is in wonderful untouched condition, found not long after the battle. Manufactured for the CS 3" gun, this bourreleted Read projectile meas. 7 3/8" long with a 3.25" diameter. This fired specimen complete with its confederate copper adapter fuse plug in near-mint condition, still has the paper remains of the paper time fuse inside. Next to the fuse adapter the "lathe-dog" is still intact having never been broken off at a Southern Arsenal. The copper-tapered ring sabot exhibits three hand-cut flame grooves. Done by artillerymen in the field, a small oval file was used to cut a small groove into the copper sabot. This would allow the flames/gases to pass the sabot easier and to ignite the paper time fuse. The sabot clearly exhibits the "lands and grooves" from the gun. This untouched projectile has very light surface rust/grime. Identified in John Geiselman's museum listing by his contemporary inscribed labels.
This Confederate Read shell, a Gettysburg battlefield recovery, is an original, unfired artillery projectile that was found on South Cavalry Field not long after the battle. In wonderful, complete condition, this bourreleted Read projectile measures 7 3/8" long with a 3.25" diameter and weighs approximately 7.5 pounds. Made for C.S. 3" Ordnance Rifles, the condition of this cylindrical specimen is very fine. The Southern artillery artifact retains its copper tapered ring sabot and its original CS copper fuse plug adapter. Adapter exhibits its two spanner holes and bears a few scuffs and gouge nicks. The small 'knock-off' spur, a.k.a. a lathe dog, sits near the nose on the shell body. Bottom base displays the characteristic lathe dimple. Never cleaned. This rebel Read shell wears light surface rust and is an early battlefield pickup from the Vaughn Farm on Gettysburg's South Cavalry Field. Shell is identified in John Geiselman's museum collection.
This example of artillery shell is classified as a Confederate 3", smooth, long Read percussion shell made for a ten-pound Parrott Rifle (2.9"caliber). Once part of the Johnson Collection in McKnightstown, PA, this fired projectile was found sometime after the Battle of Gettysburg. The cylindrical shell is complete with its copper CS variant time fuse adapter in very good condition with a slight crack at one spanner hole and the flange slightly peened over. Never cleaned, the iron body exterior wears a moderate layer of rust and has some surface dirt. Lathe dog still intact. Early design of this type Read was poor and when fired, it was prone to have its sabot top expand into the shell and 'chip off' large chunks of shell base as visible on this specimen. Complete, high-convex, brass sabot remains secured at the base. Lands and grooves visible on the sabot band. Length: 9.5"; diameter: 2.95", weight 10 pounds. This CS Read shell from McKnightstown is identified in John Geiselman's collection by his museum listing.
This artillery shell is classified as a Confederate 3", smooth Read percussion shell made for a ten-pound Parrott Rifle (2.9"caliber). The fired projectile was recovered at the Battle of Hunterstown near Gettysburg within days of that battle. The cylindrical shell is missing its copper time fuse adapter but the nose cavity exhibits clear fuse threads cut into the body. Shell retains its complete, copper tapered ring sabot. Iron body exterior is clean and smooth with the top bourrelete band worn town to 'almost smooth'. Never cleaned, the round wears a dark brown patina overall. Lathe dog broken off the body and the lathe dimple is clearly visible on the base. Distinct lands and grooves, as well as a single vertical crack or split, are visible on the copper sabot band. Length: 7.5"; diameter: 2.95", weight 7 pounds. This CS Read shell from the Battle at Hunterstown is identified in John Geiselman's collection by his museum listing.
This item is an original fired and unexploded C.S. 3-Inch Read Smooth Case-Shot Shell. Lightly pitted, this shell measures approximately 8 ½ inches long and 2.8 inches in diameter and weighs 9.5 pounds. It was found in relic condition in Gettysburg in Reynolds' Woods. The fuse is missing exposing the inside of the shell; this shell was usually fired with a wooden fuse adapter and paper time fuse. The intact sabot is a tapered iron ring on the bottom of the shell with the grooves from the gun's rifling. The upper shell shows the sign of the removed mold dimple. There are a few impact dings near the top of the shell. This shell has been attractively hand painted long ago with a mountain lake central scene (sized 4 inches by 2 inches) with large tree and surrounding large flowers. The artistry is unsigned. It would make a nice display piece for an artillery, Civil War, or Gettysburg related collection. This item is identified in John Geiselman's collection by a contemporary tag.
This item is an original fired and unexploded C.S. 3-Inch Smooth Read Case-Shot Shell. Moderately pitted, this shell measures approximately 8 ½ inches long and 2.8 inches in diameter and weighs 9.5 pounds. It was found in relic condition in Gettysburg in Reynold's Woods. The fuse is missing exposing the inside of the shell; this shell was usually fired with a wooden fuse adapter and paper time fuse. A close inspection of the inside top of the shell reveals either part of the fuse or part of the shell's matrix, the tar-like material used to seal the case shot on the inside of the shell. The damaged sabot is a tapered iron ring on the bottom of the shell and has sections bent and missing. The upper shell shows minor signs of the removed mold dimple. There are a few impact dings near the top of the shell. This shell has not been cleaned or otherwise fussed with. It would make a nice display piece for an artillery, Civil War, or Gettysburg related collection. This item is identified in John Geiselman's collection by a contemporary tag.
This item is an original C.S. 3-Inch Smooth Read Case-Shot Shell. Moderately pitted, this shell measures approximately 8-7/8 inches long, 2.8 inches in diameter, and weighs 9.5 pounds. With provenance to the Bob Walter collection of Civil War items, it was found in relic condition in Gettysburg on East Cavalry Field. The bottom of the copper fuse adapter is still inserted in the top of the shell; the top ring of the fuse adapter is broken off exposing the hole for insertion of the paper time fuse. The damaged sabot is a tapered iron ring on the bottom of the shell and has a few areas that are slightly bent. This shell has a nice brown patina and has not been cleaned or otherwise fussed with. This item is identified in John Geiselman's collection by his museum listing and would make a nice display piece for an artillery, Civil War, or Gettysburg related collection.
This artillery specimen is a Confederate 3" smooth-sided, long read percussion shell. The projectile, made for a 10-pounder Parrott Rifle, was found on Jacoby's Farm along the Taneytown Rd in Gettysburg shortly after the fighting. This artillery round retains only a portion of its original wood adapter paper time fuse and its original sabot. Exterior of this cylindrical shell exhibits a smooth surface with a dusty patina overall. Body has light surface rusting with a coating of dirt. This specimen has been professionally deactivated and lightly cleaned Length: 9"; diameter: 2.85", weight 9 pounds. This item is identified in John Geiselman's collection by his museum listing.
This artillery shell is classified as a Confederate 3", Smooth, Long Read percussion shell made for a ten-pound Parrott Rifle (2.9"caliber). This fired projectile was recovered in the Reynolds' Woods area of the battlefield in Gettysburg within days or weeks of the battle. The cylindrical shell is missing its copper time fuse adapter and copper sabot. Iron body exterior is clean and smooth and exhibits a 'mid-sleeved' look, sometimes referred to as a large bourrelete band. Never cleaned, the round wears a dark brown patina overall. The nose area is just a bit tooled down from the rest of the body. Lathe dog broken off the body and the dimple is clearly visible on the base. Early design of this type of Read shell was poor and when fired, it was prone to have its sabot top expand into the shell and 'chip off' large chunks of shell base as visible on this specimen. No flame grooves visible on the bottom band. Length: 9"; diameter: 2.95", weight 4 pounds. This CS Read shell from Reynold's Woods is identified in John Geiselman's collection by his contemporary inscribed labels.
This super fine condition artillery round was manufactured by Southern arsenals is a smooth sided, long Read percussion shell similar in design to its U.S. counterpart, a 2.9" - 3" Parrott shell. The difference is that a Confederate manufactured shell can be identified by the lathe dimple in the base of the body, a thinner wrought iron sabot and distinct lathe marks that run the entire length of the projectile. The Parrott shell will exhibit a large chiseled area on the base where the spur waste was removed. The wrought iron sabot is thicker. This projectile would have used the wooden fuse plug adapter, which is not present. The sabot does exhibit lands & grooves from being fired. This shell has no surface rust. It has a dark patina, with one area of very light pitting; the rest of the shell is smooth. Identified in John Geiselman's collection by his museum listing.
This artillery shell is classified as a Confederate 3" Read percussion shell made for a 2.9"caliber Field Gun. The fired projectile was recovered at the Battle of Hunterstown near Gettysburg within days of that battle. The cylindrical shell is missing its copper time fuse adapter but the nose cavity exhibits clear fuse threads cut into the body. Shell retains its complete, copper tapered ring sabot. Iron body exterior is clean and smooth with the top bourrelete band worn town to 'almost smooth'. Never cleaned, the round wears a dark brown patina overall. Lathe dog broken off the body and the lathe dimple is clearly visible on the base. Distinct lands and grooves, as well as a single vertical crack or split, are visible on the copper sabot band. Length: 7.5"; diameter: 2.95", weight 7 pounds. This CS Read shell from the Battle at Hunterstown is identified in John Geiselman's collection by his museum listing.
This item is an original fired C.S. 3-Inch Read Shell. Lightly pitted, this shell measures approximately 7 ¼ inches long a