SCARCE CS 3-INCH ARCHER BOLT WITH EXPANSION BAND IN PLACE

SCARCE CS 3-INCH ARCHER BOLT WITH EXPANSION BAND IN PLACE

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$1,495.00

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Item Code: 1268-530

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A very good example of the scarce Confederate 3” Archer bolt, excavated but unfired with the usually missing lead expansion band in place. These were produced at Tredegar and copied by other southern foundries in the mid and deep South. They were not, however, well regarded, with some testimony that they tended to tumble in flight, and do not seem to show up on eastern battlefields much after 1862, though Dickey & George note that some were in Lee’s artillery ammunition at Gettysburg.

The iron is a deep brown and shows expected surface corrosion with some slightly deeper losses to the nose. The lead expansion band is usually missing from these, but on this one is complete and in place, showing gray with some cream and white color stains. A narrow gap between the upper edge of the band and bottom edge of the nose held lubricated rope that would be compressed by the band when the round was fired, lubricating the gun tube, with the idea of reducing fouling and wear of the barrel. The base of the bolt shows the taper expected on an Archer bolt, a key diagnostic feature. The upper portion of the bolt’s base, hidden by the band, was cast with two deep rings, and also had dimples, to help keep the band in place.

Archers were produced several variations in configuration and caliber, making them a study-group of their own. Slightly larger rounds show up for Confederate 3.3” rifles and even for rifled six-pounders, for instance, and George noted 6.4” Archers found at Island No. 10.  See Melton & Paul and Dickey & George for details.

This is a very good example that would add to any Civil War projectile or artillery collection. Please see our photos.  [sr][ph:L]

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