Item Number: A01783

Item Title: Rarity 10 8-inch Schenkl Shell

Price: $4800

Shipping: Not included

Provenance: US

Type: Schenkl shell

Size: 8in

Sabot:

Fuse: Schenkl percussion fuse

Book:
Jack Bell Page 375

Location Recovered: Charleston, SC area

Description:This is a "Holy Grail" shell for most collectors -- the largest caliber known surviving Schenkl shell. Jack Bell lists it as a Rarity 10 in his book on page 375.

This shell was uncovered by Hurricane Hugo near Battery Pringle. This is the only place they have been recovered and I believe they were only fired during one day of fighting.

After it was recovered, this shell spent over 2yrs in electrolysis to make sure it was stable. There was some iron loss as shown in the final photo, but this is very similar to the one shown in the book and consistent with most of the few others that have been recovered. At one point these were $10,000 shells, and I actually paid $5000 for this one several years ago. One in almost identical condition never hit the table for the public but was sold to a friend of mine for $4800 at the most recent Dalton Show.

These were fired from a 150pdr Parrott rifle, but they actually weigh about 125lbs. Still, this would be very difficult and expensive to ship so I am hoping the buyer can get it from me at an upcoming show -- Mansfield, the June Gettysburg Show or the July Doswell show.

In over 20 years I have only had the opportunity to acquire 2 of these 8in Schenkls. It could be a very long while before another comes available.