Artillery reference books.

[Beltplate53]

Well, I have read two very well recommended books on Civil War Artillery. They were great as far as information on field pieces and how they were fired and set up. You would think they would answer a most basic question. What projectile was fired by what type cannon? I couldn't believe it as I went back and read again. Nope, nothing, not a. Every book I've read on infantry weapons at least explains what musket fires what type ammo.
Artillery books are lacking.

 

[John Winn]

Two that you might want to get are:

Coggins, Jack (1990) Arms and Equipment of the Civil War (Dover Publications, Mineola, New York).

It's a small book with hand drawings but loaded with information. You can get one cheap on Amazon. It's got the basics of smoothbore and rifle artillery projectiles.

Ripley, Warren (1970) Artillery and Ammunition of the Civil War (Promontory Press, New York)

This is one of the standard references. It describes, in detail, just what the title claims. You should be able to find one of these, too, for not much.

Those are good starts.

For now, though, if it's round it was fired from a smoothbore; if it's elongated it was fired from a rifled gun. The only exception would be canister; elongated tin can in both cases.

 

[redbob]

I will warn you in advance that reference books on artillery projectiles can be rather expensive. The best online reference for projectiles that I know of is www.civilwarartillery.com

 

[drezac]

as far as books:
( all of these are out of print. I have the first 3 )
Field Artillery Weapons of the Civil War - Hazlette,Olmstead, and Parks
The big Guns ( Heavy Artillery) - Olmstead, Stark,and Tucket
Field Artillery Projectiles of the Civil War - Kerksis and Dickey
Artillery Fuses of the Civil War - Jones

(on Google Books)
Instruction for Field Artillery - Barry, Hunt, and French
The Ordnance Manual for use by Officers of the United States Army
For both of the above, there are more than one edition. Pre-Civil war editions and ones that were printed either just before or during the war. It's a good idea to look at both, as some of the content varies slightly.

 

[Rusk County Avengers]

Just out of curiosity, do the "Antique Ordnance Publishers" books on guns do a good job for data and information on artillery pieces? I've mainly been curious about the book on Confederate 2.25in Mountain Rifles.

 

[UCVRelics]

There are many great arty books and all have been mentioned above. @redbob is spot on about prices. You can buy a nice CW yankee shell for what some of them cost.

 

[drezac]

thankfully, I now own a copy of "Artillery Fuses of the Civil War" ( well, it's being shipped ). Didn't cost me an arm and a leg ( but I did get a little frostbite on the toes).. Patience is a virtue on Ebay - If you are willing to wait it out, many times one will eventually come up at a reasonable price ( $95 - the asking price was typically $150-$300 for this one). I have added many books to my collection this way.

 

[John Winn]

thankfully, I now own a copy of "Artillery Fuses of the Civil War" ( well, it's being shipped ). Didn't cost me an arm and a leg ( but I did get a little frostbite on the toes).. Patience is a virtue on Ebay - If you are willing to wait it out, many times one will eventually come up at a reasonable price ( $95 - the asking price was typically $150-$300 for this one). I have added many books to my collection this way.

Good find. I got a copy a couple of years ago for a very good price. I found it just by chance at a used book dealer on line; I don't think they knew what they had. I learned of that book from a YouTube video where it was mentioned. At the time I just assumed it was available and didn't know it was out of print. I just started Googling and - poof - there was one listed. It was some time later when I found out they were hard to find and usually expensive. Luck of the Irish I suppose.

Enjoy !

One I bought last year that was the most expensive book I've bought was Milton's The Half Shell Book. It was worth it, though. Very nicely done with very good photographs. You have to buy them from him on his web site.

I didn't mention these types of books because the OP just wanted to know what types of ammunition were fired by which guns.

 

[redbob]

Good find. I got a copy a couple of years ago for a very good price. I found it just by chance at a used book dealer on line; I don't think they knew what they had. I learned of that book from a YouTube video where it was mentioned. At the time I just assumed it was available and didn't know it was out of print. I just started Googling and - poof - there was one listed. It was some time later when I found out they were hard to find and usually expensive. Luck of the Irish I suppose.

Enjoy !

One I bought last year that was the most expensive book I've bought was Milton's The Half Shell Book. It was worth it, though. Very nicely done with very good photographs. You have to buy them from him on his web site.

I didn't mention these types of books because the OP just wanted to know what types of ammunition were fired by which guns.

The Half Shell Book is well worth the money as Jack saw fit to give a shell of mine a two page spread. Regardless of this, it is a reference book that is well worth the money.

 

[John Winn]

The Half Shell Book is well worth the money as Jack saw fit to give a shell of mine a two page spread. Regardless of this, it is a reference book that is well worth the money.

I think I do remember you mentioning that. What pages are yours on (I don't seem to have that now) ?

I don't regret what I paid one bit.

 

[redbob]

I think I do remember you mentioning that. What pages are yours on (I don't seem to have that now) ?

I don't regret what I paid one bit.

207-208, while the shell is interesting; I believe that the fuse is the real star.

 

[limberbox]

The Half Shell Book is well worth the money as Jack saw fit to give a shell of mine a two page spread. Regardless of this, it is a reference book that is well worth the money.

I met Jack in Gettysburg in about 1993, IIRC, and purchased a U.S. six-pdr spherical case half-shell from him for about $95. Still the centerpiece of my (small) artillery collection. While a picture is worth a thousand words, the genuine article is worth ten-fold more.

 

[Belfoured]

The Half Shell Book is well worth the money as Jack saw fit to give a shell of mine a two page spread. Regardless of this, it is a reference book that is well worth the money.

The book is excellent - just don't drop it out of a 3rd floor window on somebody.

 

[Rhea Cole]

What is it you want to know, exactly? Is it tactical, ie, what round to used in certain situations? Do you want to know what rounds were used in smoothbore & rifled cannon? It would be helpful if you would specify what it is you are looking for.

 

[Ole Miss]

I would like to remind anyone that is able to attend the Shiloh Muster 9-25 to 9-27, that @redbob will be there:
Presentation: Shiloh Artillery. Ruggle's Battery RedBob will have a display of Shiloh shells and some from the guns used in the battle and OleMiss and RedBob will discuss the artillery at Shiloh.
I highly recommend attending this outstanding Muster if at all possible!
Regards
David

Official Thread CWT Muster "Bloody Shiloh" Sept 25 - 27, 2020 | Shiloh / Pittsburg Landing

If you're interested in going to this event, please RSVP in the module at the top of the thread! Get your RSVP in before September 10th! We would like to invite you to join us for the CWT Muster, to be held at Shiloh Tn. September 25th thru 27th, 2020. We have an AWESOME weekend planned that...

civilwartalk.com

 

[Belfoured]

Well, I have read two very well recommended books on Civil War Artillery. They were great as far as information on field pieces and how they were fired and set up. You would think they would answer a most basic question. What projectile was fired by what type cannon? I couldn't believe it as I went back and read again. Nope, nothing, not a. Every book I've read on infantry weapons at least explains what musket fires what type ammo.
Artillery books are lacking.

To the list already compiled, I would add Cole's book on Artillery at Gettysburg which, despite its title, is a great intro to numerous aspects of ACW field artillery. Gibbon's Artillerist's Manual (1863 ed.) is also essential regarding fire, projectile, etc.