4.62-inch Hotchkiss

[Jack Bell]

Has anyone seen a 4.62-inch Hotchkiss shell? I have the 4.2-inch, the 4.4-inch and the 4.5-inch, but not the 4.62-inch.

I was not aware that Hotchkiss made one in that caliber, but read about it recently in an original War Department document. Hotchkiss sold 2,508 shells in the 4.62-inch caliber to the War Department.

Thanks,

Jack

[CarlS]

I can't say I've seen or heard of one in that caliber but I firmly believe that it was a Hotchkiss company directive that they would produce a round for every size gun purchased by the US Government.  So there likely is one.  Hotchkiss has an amazing range of calibers.

That said, I recently picked up a round (without sabot) that your question got me wondering about.  It measures 4.52 across the bottom edge of the base cup.  The base edge of the nose measures 4.40.  I bought it as a 4.5-inch round but the base cup would seem to indicate it is slightly too big for the 4.5-inch rifle.  It is also a bit stubby so perhaps it was for the heavy 12-lber.  The threaded fuse hole has no fuse.

[Jack Bell]

In this case, the document is from the War Department with an order to Hotchkiss & Sons dated June 26, 1863.  The projectiles were shipped to the War Department on various dates between October 28, 1863 and January 7, 1864. I rechecked the shipments and they, were all shells, 1,164 time fuzed and 1,212 percussion.

[CarlS]

Here is an image of the shell I have that looks to be for a 4.62-inch gun.  Sorry it is not better but somehow got a bit bleached out.  The fuse is to show the size of the threaded fuse hole.  As you can see it has the look of a shell recovered off a rocky hillside given the rust is very light and even all around.

[emike123]

Like Carl's I have one that is just hundredth of an inch or so over 4.5" diameter at the top of the base cup.  This one has its (obviously unfired) sabot which is just slightly wider too at 4.55"+ diameter.

[Jack Bell]

Thanks to both Carl and Mike. I have been concerned that people have mistaken these shells for the 4.5-inch caliber. For what it's worth, last year I bought a 4.4-inch Hotchkiss shell from a guy that the guy swore was a 4.5-inch caliber. When I measured it , the measurement said 4.35'

[CarlS]

Your concern was valid. I assumed mine was a 4.5-inch when I got it.  But looking more closely now since you opened this topic I see it is a bit too short for a long gun like the magnificent 4.5-inch guns.  Thanks for making me look!   

[emike123]

It seems our 4.5" Hotchkiss shells are all becoming 4.62" ones.  The same appears to be true for one Horse Soldier has for sale if anyone with deep pockets feels they have missed the 4.62" Hotchkiss party.  I am not alone now in being one who "needs" a true 4.5" Hotchkiss shell.  I have three 4.4s, a 4.62 and a 5.1.  I would about kill for one of those 6" ones supposedly from Vicksburg and Roanoke Island, NC, but have only seen pieces of them, never a complete one available.

[scottfromgeorgia]

Dang, I have several in that size range. I should put some calipers on them when I get home.

[Jack Bell]

As Mike has already highlighted, my query about the existence of 4.62-inch Hotchkiss shell is having a surprising follow-up.  So far, four of the acknowledged owners of so-called "4.5-inch" Hotchkiss shells have learned that what they have are 4.62s.  All except Carl's are unfired and probably non-battlefield. So far, I have not heard from anyone confirming that the shell they have is a 4.5-inch Hotchkiss. For the curious, the diameter measurements on the 4.62s are somethiing like the following -- cup and shell body diameter 4.51-4.52-inches, the lead sabot (on the non-battlefield ones) is 4.54-4.56 inches. Now we are off to try to find real 4.5s!

[CarlS]

If anyone would have one it might be in the Old Courthouse museum in Vicksburg.  They have quite the Hotchkiss collection.

[Khk2921]

Have foundvtge 4.62,5.1,and the 6 inch hotchkiss shells in Vicksburg.