Recovered from Spanish Fort

Confederate 6-pound solid shot cannonball recovered from Spanish Fort, manufactured for use in smoothbore field artillery. The 6-pounder cannonball is most notably associated with the death of Major Sullivan Ballou at the First Battle of Bull Run in July 1861.

The surface displays a deep, dark patina with areas of oxidation and field wear, including localized surface loss, entirely consistent with age and long-term burial or exposure. The ball remains solid and intact.

The 6-pounder field gun was one of the most used artillery pieces early in the war and saw extensive service with Confederate batteries throughout the conflict. Solid shot such as this was used against enemy troops, artillery, and fortifications.

Inventory Number: ART 488

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A very rare “target sheet” recorded from a test of a Hotchkiss cannon and patent projectile. This is a printed form on polished cotton paper with blank fields and results done in ink. Sheet measures 9” x 13”.

This sheet represents the results of a trial held at Sharon, Connecticut, on July 26th 1860. Fifteen shots were fired and the results are plotted on this sheet.

Condition of the sheet is near perfect .

The “SKETCH OF TARGET AFTER PRACTICE WITH HOTCHKISS RIFLED CANNON, PAXENY PROCLE [Patent Projectile] at Sharan [Sharon], Conn July 26, 1860″ is a rare, historically significant, printed target sheet that documented the results of early trials for Andrew Hotchkiss’s patent artillery projectiles.

This document and the related tests highlight the critical early manufacturing efforts of Benjamin B. Hotchkiss and Andrew Hotchkiss in Sharon Valley, Connecticut, just prior to the American Civil War.

Inventory Number: DOC 423

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Civil War-era wooden time fuse designed for use in mortar projectiles. These fuses were inserted into the fuse hole of explosive shells and ignited upon firing, timing the detonation in flight or upon impact. Crafted from wood with visible grain rings and central ignition channel, this piece is a remarkable example of 19th-century artillery technology.  

Inventory Number: ART 485 

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This striking and highly visual Civil War artillery relic represents a reconstructed section of 3-inch canister, skillfully assembled using original period components. The piece features a full complement of iron shot stacked in classic canister fashion, retained between an original top plate and bottom pusher plate—both exhibiting untouched, darkened patina consistent with age and battlefield service. 

The iron balls display a rich, oxidized surface with excellent texture, while the plates show honest wear and a pleasing, undisturbed surface. The arrangement faithfully reflects the internal construction of canister ammunition used extensively by Union artillery batteries, particularly in 3-inch Ordnance Rifles—one of the most accurate and widely deployed field pieces of the war. 

Canister rounds were devastating anti-personnel munitions, effectively turning cannon into massive shotguns at close range. Upon firing, the thin container disintegrated, releasing a deadly spray of iron balls capable of clearing advancing infantry in seconds. Examples such as this—where original components are preserved and thoughtfully reconstructed—offer exceptional interpretive and display value, making the mechanics of Civil War artillery immediately tangible. 

A powerful and scarce display piece, ideal for advanced collections, museum presentation, or gallery exhibition. 

Inventory Number: ART 484

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Fort Boykin Recovery – Ex Mac Mason Collection 

The VERY FIRST Mac Mason Shell!!! 

A powerful and visually striking example of a U.S. regulation 3½-inch Hotchkiss percussion shell, recovered from the Confederate defenses at Fort Boykin near Smithfield, Virginia. This classic Hotchkiss pattern—one of the most widely issued Federal rifled projectiles—retains its unmistakable profile, with the three-part construction still evident despite a deeply pitted, combat-recovered surface. 

The shell was excavated from the vicinity of Fort Boykin, a strategically important position guarding the approaches along the James River during the Peninsula Campaign and subsequent operations. Artillery engagements in this sector saw extensive use of rifled ammunition, making such recoveries both historically significant and highly desirable. 

Most notably, the base is hand-marked and signed by noted relic hunter and author Mac Mason, identifying this as the very first shell he recovered—an extraordinary point of provenance linking the piece directly to one of the most recognizable figures in Civil War relic hunting. Mason’s contributions to the hobby, both in the field and through his published works and painted projectiles, have made his name synonymous with early and influential artifact recovery. 

The shell has been professionally rendered inert, with the base cup now removable/detachable, allowing examination of its construction. The exterior displays a rich, untouched excavation patina with bold, period-style display lettering further enhancing its visual appeal. A rare opportunity to acquire a battlefield-recovered Hotchkiss shell with exceptional provenance and direct association to Mac Mason. 

Mac Mason – Renowned Authority on Civil War Artillery Projectiles 

Mac Mason is widely recognized within the field of Civil War ordnance collecting as both a pioneering researcher and one of the most influential early artists to accurately depict artillery projectiles. Active during the formative years of relic collecting, Mason developed a reputation for his meticulous hand-painted renderings of shells, fuzes, and artillery types—works that were not only visually striking but grounded in careful study of original specimens. 

His illustrations became an essential reference for collectors at a time when reliable information was scarce. Mason’s paintings documented variations in shell patterns, sabot types, fuse configurations, and manufacturer distinctions, helping to establish a visual language that collectors and researchers still rely upon today. Many of these works circulated among advanced collectors and were later incorporated into published materials, further cementing his role in shaping the study of Civil War artillery. 

In addition to his artistic contributions, Mason was also a published author, contributing to the early body of literature on Civil War projectiles. His research and documentation helped standardize identification practices and brought greater academic rigor to what had previously been a loosely organized field. 

Today, Mac Mason is remembered as both a chronicler and interpreter of Civil War artillery—his work bridging the gap between artifact and understanding, and leaving a lasting imprint on the study and appreciation of period ordnance. 

Inventory Number: ART 483

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Group of original Civil War–era canister shots, arranged in a stacked pyramidal display. The individual iron balls exhibit heavy, naturally aged oxidation consistent with period artillery ammunition. The base is hand-marked “Pickett’s Front,” a post-war attribution referencing the Confederate assault at Gettysburg. Canister shots were designed for close-range anti-personnel use, making these projectiles among the most iconic and devastating forms of Civil War artillery ammunition.  

Displays such as this were commonly assembled for veteran remembrance, GAR halls, and early commemorative collections. A powerful grouping with strong historical and display appeal. 

Inventory Number: GET 545

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This pair of small-format cannons (4 in. and 2 ¼ in.) was unearthed in the Charleston, S.C., area, a region heavily involved in ordnance manufacture and coastal defense throughout the Civil War. Miniature cannons of this sort are known to have served several purposes in the 19th century: as toys, as mold patterns, as apprentice practice castings, or as scale samples produced by foundries and some even made in camp to pass the time of winter boredom. Although not attributable to any specific military installation, their recovery from Charleston—a city ringed with batteries, ironworks, and Confederate workshops—adds historical interest. Each retains untouched excavated surfaces and classic coastal patination. 

Comes housed in 6 x 8 riker display case with red velvet and descriptive card. 

Inventory Number: ART 479 

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With Embedded Iron Grape Shot

Published in Blue & Gray Magazine, Vol. 23, No. 5 (2007)

This powerful battlefield relic is an original section of wood siding recovered from Oak Grove Church, a structure located near the Reams Station battlefield south of Petersburg, Virginia. The board contains two iron grape shot projectiles inset where they struck the building during the violent action of August 25, 1864. The heavy splintering and torn wood fibers around the impact sites unmistakably reflect the destructive force of close-range artillery fire.

Oak Grove Church stood along the Halifax Road and found itself in the midst of repeated military movements during the Petersburg Campaign. During the Second Battle of Reams Station, the area was swept by intense musketry and artillery—including grape and canister—fired by Confederate batteries supporting the assault on Hancock’s entrenched Union II Corps. The church’s siding absorbed numerous strikes, and this surviving board vividly shows the type of damage inflicted.

The display includes:

• Copied photos of Oak Grove Church
• A map detailing troop positions around Reams Station
• Narrative tags describing the board and impact sites
• A historical article excerpt documenting the wartime structure and its preservation

This very piece was published in Blue & Gray Magazine, Volume 23, Issue 5 (2007) in the feature article Civil War – Action at Petersburg, Va., providing strong documentation and provenance.

The board retains its untouched 19th-century surface with deep patina, weathering, and structural characteristics consistent with Civil War–era construction. Very few surviving architectural elements from the Petersburg Campaign exhibit such dramatic, first-hand evidence of direct grape shot impact. It remains a gripping example of the close-range artillery fight that defined the bloody engagement at Reams Station.

Inventory Number: CON 642

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Fires from a cannon with a shotgun effect! Large examples for the 12 Pound Mountain Howitzer.

This canister shot is offered as a stock item. While no two examples are exactly alike, each bears the unique character of its history. Individual canister balls may vary slightly in patina, and surface condition, but all are authentic battlefield relics. We will select a genuine and well-preserved piece for you.

Inventory Number: ART 474

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“Cannons: An Introduction to Civil War Artillery” by Dean S. Thomas is a comprehensive guide that provides an in-depth look at the weapons, ammunition, and equipment used during the American Civil War. The book is praised for its clarity and detail, offering over 150 photos and drawings to illustrate the various types of cannons and their functions. It covers both the Union and Confederate sides, detailing the tools, equipment, and vehicles used by the gunners. The introduction also touches on the tactical importance of artillery, especially with the advent of rifles in the infantry, which made supporting attacks more challenging. The book is a valuable resource for anyone interested in the Civil War artillery and its role in the conflict.

Inventory Number: BOO 064

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