Here is a prized, unfired, Civil War Confederate 3” field artillery projectile pattern commonly referred to as a “Tapered’ smooth short Read common shell. The cylindrical shaped body tapers slightly upwards from the 2.87” base at the copper ring sabot, to 2.77” where the nose curve first begins. All known such rounds came from a large cache of unfired Reads found in Camden, South Carolina. Projectile measures just under 7½” high and has a base diameter of 2.96.” Constructed of cast iron, this very fine unfired shell features a pointed nose, no bourrelets, a distinct body mold seam, and a medium-convex copper sabot. The projectile body is in very excellent, strong condition with no cracks or chips. It wears a light, shellac-like coating that has turned a pleasing chocolate brown color.

Shell is missing its wood fuse adapter and its paper fuse. This pattern of Read shell was designed to be fired from a Confederate 3” wrought iron rifle (ordnance rifle).  Distinctly visible at the base of the shell is the prominent expansion and lubrication groove between the sabot and the iron body, often called the “Read safety groove”. This groove was developed by Alabama inventor Dr. John B. Read to allow the sabot some room for forward displacement during expansion when shell was fired. It is not known where these ‘Reads’ were produced but it may been made at the CS Selma Arsenal. Shell comes with a modern, hand written note that gives some provenance on the projectile. This ‘tapered’ Read shell is a rare find and would make a great addition to any Civil War field artillery display or “heavy metal” collection.

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