Patented August 20, 1861 by William F. Ketchum of Buffalo, New York (Patent # 33,089), this was one of the most common of several types of hand grenades used during the Civil War. The grenade portion consists of an elongated cast iron shell to be filled with the explosive charge. Also, there is an opening at each end to accommodate a tube of soft metal with a flange at the outer end and a nipple for holding a percussion cap. The main charge was then placed into the shell, and when the grenade was to be used a wooden shaft containing four paste board fins was inserted at the rear to act as a tail guide. When thrown (much like a modern dart) the front plunger caused the percussion cap to detonate and explode the grenade section upon impact. These particular grenades were intended mostly for use against fortifications and trench works.

Ketchum one-pound versions of this grenade have been recovered at Vicksburg, Mississippi battlefield site. The U.S. Ordnance Memorandum of 1865 lists this grenade as being furnished in 1-2-3 & 4 pound weights.

Our 3 pound example here comes complete with its original wood shaft and pasteboard tail fins marked with Ketchum’s patent date of Aug 20 1861.

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