This is a non-excavated Civil War rifled artillery projectile. It is a 7” Dyer shell for the rifled 42-pounder gun. This projectile was manufactured in the Federal arsenals following the invention of Alexander Dyer. Condition is very good since it was never in the ground. There are remnants of a white paint label on the iron, perhaps from an early museum display. Within a scroll outline it reads, “Dia. 7 in. / 42 Pdr. / Dyers Fuze Shell / ____ lbs.”

The sabot system utilized was an expanding lead cup around the base with a concave bottom. The sabot, which was about 3.25” high was cast onto the base of the projectile body which had six ribbed flanges to hold it in place.  The sabots seem to have stayed on the projectile relatively well.

The nose of the shell is pointed. This is the “common” shell, having an explosive charge only without lead balls. A paper time fuse and a tapered wood adapter would have been set into the nose.

The projectile measures approximately 6.9” in diameter and 14” tall, weighing about 80 pounds.

Most of these 7” Dyers were used by Federal gunboats in the assault of Island No. 10, a Confederate stronghold in the middle of the Mississippi River. The island washed away years ago.  [jet]

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