Very cool Excavated Confederate 3 inch Bourreleted Read Shell . Very nice condition. It's copper fuse and copper sabot are both present with a darkening copper patina. It's iron body has minimal surface pitting, a strong mold seam and a base chip just above the sabot , which is typical for this type of fired Read Shell. The sabot shows 6 lands and grooves as a result of the rifling found inside the 3 inch Confederate Ordinance Rifle. A lathe dimple is present on the bottom of the base. And printed there by the digger in faded gold marker is " MT JACKSON VA " . The Shell has been disarmed and has no repairs. It has also been treated with electrolysis and paraffin so as to preserve the iron and is ready for display. Weight is 7.6 lbs , Diameter: 2.94 , Length: 7.5 inches . According to Peter George, co-author of " Field Artillery Projectiles of the American Civil War " , base chipping was the result of over-expansion of its thick copper sabot. This is a very nice Shell and will make an excellent addition to anyone's collection!

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