Item Number: A01834

Item Title: Wonderful 4.2" Hotchkiss Percussion Non-battlefild For 30 Pounder Parrott

Price: $925

Shipping: Not included

Provenance: US

Type: Hotchkiss

Size: 30 Pounder (4.2

Sabot: Lead Band

Fuse: Hotchkiss Iron Percussion

Book:
Jack Bell page 242

Location Recovered: Non-Battlefield

Description:
This shell is a 30-lber Hotchkiss which was made to be fired from the US Parrott rifle. As inventor Robert Parrott requested that only Parrott shells be used in his gun and he also did not like lead sabots, there weren't many Hotchkiss shells made and even less used. This shell is likely surplus that made it's way to Bannerman's or a national park such as Gettysburg for use in a monument.

This exact shell is not even in Jack Bell's book with this fuse. The Jack Bell page number referenced above is for one with the Hotchkiss brass percussion and is rarity 8. This Hotchkiss shell should be higher. For fusing it used the less common West Point iron anvil cap. We have only seen a few of these before. It appears that the shell was inerted by removing the anvil cap. The threads are in very good condition. As you can see, one I had in my collection that I found in Vicksburg screwed in very easily and will screw all the way in with two fingers. It is not included with this sale.

The iron is super with only the lightest of peppering. I presume this is due to having been stored on Bannerman's Island or a shed somewhere. But as you can see, the iron is quite pleasing. I do not believe it has any polyurethane or wax or similar on it. It may have been oiled in the past but I'm not sure of that either. The base cup has a clear lathe dimple but I don't see any signs of a patent date. The lead sabot is fully intact and has a nice dark lead color.

Shell is inert and clean.