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We have a busy upcoming show schedule with the Gettysburg Show April 13-14 and then at Mansfield 3 weeks after that! 2 more shows on the calendar for June already and one in July!

Hope to see many of you at one of these shows.

A01353 - Rare Confederate Read Lead Side Loader
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Item Number: A01353

Item Title: Rare Confederate Read Lead Side Loader

Price: $395

Shipping: Not included

Provenance: CS

Type: Read

Size: 3 Inch Caliber

Sabot: Copper Ring

Fuse: CS Copper Time Fuse Adapter

Book:
Dickey and George (1993 Edition) Page 258
Melton and Pawl (Paperback Editon) Page 70 A-10

Location Recovered: Unknown

Description:A shell that uses a number of designs that are purely confederate, this is an example of a very desirable shell. This shell has the copper fuse adapter, uses bourrelets to save on bore friction, has a lathe lug, and more rarely also has the lead side loader plug that allowed the insertion of the iron case shot balls. These things are only found on Confederate shells. According to Pete George in the book "Field Artillery Projectiles" by Dickey and George, the bourreleted style side loader was only produced during 1863 and are thus quite uncommon.

This example shows typical Read chipping on the base but it did retain about 2 inches of sabot showing a crisp rifle groove of the rifling from the ordnance gun that fired it. The iron is ok but the bourrelets are clearly evident around the shell. Unlike many Reads this still has the lathe lug which was often knocked off when made. The lead side loader, unlike most you see, still has a nice white patina which helps it stand out. This shell came out of my collection but got one I upgraded with.

Don't let this one get away! It is quite hard to get and is as cheap as you'll see one.

Shell is inert, cleaned and coated.