What is this? I Need Help Identifying This Shell

[TJM]

I was recently given the task of identifying artillery shells which are embedded in the concrete of the sidewalk at the park where I work. Many of them are from the Civil War. Sadly, there is no record of who donated them or where they came from. One shell in particular looks like nothing I've seen before. Have a look.

Does anyone know what this shell could be? I could really use some help.

 

[Hussar Yeomanry]

Welcome from the UK and from The First Bull Run/ Manassas Forum

As to your question I am sure one of our experts will be along shortly.

 

[Larryh86GT]

Welcome from WNY.

 

[redbob]

It looks like a large Parrott shell that someone has gotten a little carried away drilling holes (possibly in an attempt to render it safe) in. A 100#er would have a diameter of 6.4 inches and a length of between 15 1/2 and 18 1/2 inches. A 200#er would have a diameter of 8" and a length of between 16 1/2 and 19 3/4". As you don't know how deeply they are set in the concrete, hopefully this will help. Welcome to the group from middle Alabama and where are these located?

 

[tbuckley]

Welcome from eastern Ohio. Interesting side walk decoration. Is this park near the site of a Civil War period fort?

 

[JOHN42768]

Welcome, enjoy

 

[UCVRelics]

Welcome From The Heart Of Dixie. @redbob is spot on with it being a parrot. It would have originally looked like this before some got to it with a drill. Being in concrete you can't see the base but it would have been similar to this one as well. If you need me to @redbob and I will bring a jack hammer to help you get rid of them

 

[redbob]

Welcome From The Heart Of Dixie. @redbob is spot on with it being a parrot. It would have originally looked like this before some got to it with a drill. Being in concrete you can't see the base but it would have been similar to this one as well. If you need me to @redbob and I will bring a jack hammer to help you get rid of them
View attachment 299348
View attachment 299349

Did you notice the freeze crack in picture #3 and the rust that has leaked out of it?

 

[7th Mississippi Infantry]

Hello @TJM.

Welcome to CWT.

 

[UCVRelics]

With all the holes in the top I'm sure water has gotten in over time and has frozen and split the shell. It needs to be rescued along with any others that are there as well.

 

[Story]

I was recently given the task of identifying artillery shells which are embedded in the concrete of the sidewalk at the park where I work. Many of them are from the Civil War.

So.
Pics of the rest?

 

[captaindrew]

Welcome from South Florida and the Reenactors forum

 

[TJM]

It looks like a large Parrott shell that someone has gotten a little carried away drilling holes (possibly in an attempt to render it safe) in. A 100#er would have a diameter of 6.4 inches and a length of between 15 1/2 and 18 1/2 inches. A 200#er would have a diameter of 8" and a length of between 16 1/2 and 19 3/4". As you don't know how deeply they are set in the concrete, hopefully this will help. Welcome to the group from middle Alabama and where are these located?

They're located near the USS Alabama in front of a fishing pier. A lot of people miss them because they're located far away from the other displays at the park, and there are no signs pointing them out.

 

[TJM]

So.
Pics of the rest?

Sure. I could always use a second opinion on them. I'll take some more pictures and post them when I go back to work on Monday. Keep in mind, though, that not all of them are from the Civil War.

 

[TJM]

Welcome from eastern Ohio. Interesting side walk decoration. Is this park near the site of a Civil War period fort?

No, the park is mostly dedicated to World War II, since the USS Alabama is a World War II era battleship, with some displays related to more recent conflicts and World War I. There are a number of sites related to the Civil War in the surrounding area, though. The shells likely came from those sites.

 

[redbob]

They're located near the USS Alabama in front of a fishing pier. A lot of people miss them because they're located far away from the other displays at the park, and there are no signs pointing them out.

I'll have to look for them the next time that I am down that way, I occasionally like to check on my $2.00 investment that I spent to help bring the USS Alabama back home way back when.

 

[jgoodguy]

The holes look to me like at one time they were a holder for something like flags or banners. A purpose lost to time.

 

[Seduzal]

Welcome to CWT from the Smoky Mountain side of North Carolina.

 

[redbob]

The holes look to me like at one time they were a holder for something like flags or banners. A purpose lost to time.

From experience I can tell you that drilling any hole in cast iron isn't easy and holes that size and that perfectly spaced took some work and some serious skill.

 

[jgoodguy]

From experience I can tell you that drilling any hole in cast iron isn't easy and holes that size and that perfectly spaced took some work and some serious skill.

I agree.
More puzzling to me is that it appears to me that 2 holes are not through the casing.