US NAVY 10-INCH SHELL RING GAUGE

US NAVY 10-INCH SHELL RING GAUGE

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$750.00

Quantity Available: 1

Item Code: 2026-9443

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These simple iron ring gauges allowed for quick inspection and sorting of shot and shell by size. This one was made and marked to so sort out shells for 10-Inch guns, developed in the 1840s and often referred to as 10-Inch Columbiads or later, incorporating improved production techniques, as 10-Inch Rodman Guns. Their shells weighed in at about 128 pounds, and had an effective range of about 4.800 yards. They were generally seacoast and fortification artillery pieces, and remained in US inventories and emplacements until after the Spanish-American War. Huge numbers of artillery shells and shot were left over after the Civil War and with the possibility of these guns being called into use again at some point for national defense, it was important to sort out their proper projectiles.

This one is clearly stamped on the lower part of the ring on one side: “10IN LARGE SHELL GAUGE. / 9.87” and on the other: ORD. DEPT. U.S.N.Y.W. / 1867 / G.B. / [anchor.] The first designation is the designated caliber of the gun with the actual diameter of the shell to be measured in hundredths of an inch. The second stamping signifies the Ordnance Department at the US Navy Yard in Washington, along with the dare and initials of the inspector passing the ring gauge for use.

The wood grip and brass ferrule are in place on the handle and have a pleasing aged patina. The side of the ring with the inspection mark is mostly smooth metal showing a mix of gray and light brown. The side with the size marking shows shallow pitting, but the markings are legible.  [sr][ph:L]

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