Confederate Shell and Railroad Lock in one day

[Cpackjr]

Hunted a new Site yesterday, I heard about it recently and started the research found out it was purchased By the last resident in 1926. I could not find out when the property was first occupied. It does not appear on topo maps, but I see it on aerial photos in 1957 and it seem to be a multi building farm. When I got to it there were a lot of cut stone stacks, and a couple of cellar holes. I have been looking for new sites and had recently gotten into some brushy thorny messes with no good access. This site was open with just ferns and weeds. I found typical iron and roof tin and I spent a lot of time cruising around quickly and concentrated in the most open areas. My first great find was the C&O RY brass lock.
Then I had another big target away from the buildings in a rocky area, which sounded pretty good for some reason. When I dug it I had to pull out some big rocks and it was pretty deep. I pulled it out and Immediately thought this looks like a shell, but I know there’s lots of items that look like that. I carried it out along with the lock, and a sadd iron, which made a very heavy load. I have read and read and read and compared with pictures and I am almost 100% convinced this is a Confederate Archer 3 inch shell made in Richmond Virginia before 1862. It would’ve had a lead Sabot and wood plug in it with a paper timer.
Why in southern WV? There were Union troops posted in Beckley (12 miles away) for most of a year that went on raids, forged in the area and travelled to New River several times to engage confederates and one route to New River was along Glade Creek which is within sight of where this shell was found
This was at a farm and it could’ve been somebody brought it home with them from the war, collected it or it could’ve been Confederate shooting down into Glade Creek Canyon
There’s almost no way of knowing, but it is one of my coolest finds ever.
This shell weighs approx 5.25 poundsis 5 1/2 inches long and 3” diameter and the hollow holds close to cup of water.

 

[DougF]

Great stuff - love that C&O lock. Congrats.

 

[Cpackjr]

I went back to the same site today for a couple of hours expecting to find more farm stuff, hoping to find some household stuff scanning around digging iron to try to find which building is house which is a barn
And I dig another artillery shell!
It was in much rougher shape than the first one and about 100 yards away so now I have to re-double my research trying to figure out why artillery shells are possibly landing in this spot?
I’m including a picture of an item that was in the same hole, but it looks more like a door lock mechanism piece, possibly any thought? Also an overall button with a train on it and a makeup cream from 1910 to 1920.

Is this second shell a candidate for electrolysis?
I’ve never tried it, but I am considering it

 

[Fredneck]

Fantastic finds !! The second shell would be preserved better with electrolysis, but very important to remove any powder charge first, let us see the nose of the second. Both should be rendered inert for proper preservation.

Most variants of the CS Archer are solid shot bolts, the few shells had flame grooves and I'm confused I'm not seeing them on yours. Are there grooves just not seen in the pics ?

 

[MasonDixonMding]

Very cool!

 

[Cpackjr]

Fantastic finds !! The second shell would be preserved better with electrolysis, but very important to remove any powder charge first, let us see the nose of the second. Both should be rendered inert for proper preservation.

Most variants of the CS Archer are solid shot bolts, the few shells had flame grooves and I'm confused I'm not seeing them on yours. Are there grooves just not seen in the pics ?

Yeah, the 2nd one is safe I can stick a garden hose into over 3 inches and nothing comes out except mud.
I have done a lot of reading and watched several videos showing the various Archer shells and bolts.
There are many examples of the shell with and without the flame groves. BTW, what were they for?
I have also seen some accounts of Union troops capturing these shells and using them in their own guns. Which makes more sense in my area.
I did rig up an electrolysis tank and it’s in there There is a picture below after a couple hours

 

[Jelly_936]

Great finds and what a fun mystery you uncovered!

I’m very curious on your mystery, possibly door knocker piece, as I have found something very similiar but made of brass.

I just thought it a piece of folk art or something of the like.

 

[Fredneck]

Cool. The flame grooves helped in igniting the paper time fuse on the shell variant which is why the solid shots doesn't have them. Looking good in the tank.

 

[Cpackjr]

Great finds and what a fun mystery you uncovered!

I’m very curious on your mystery, possibly door knocker piece, as I have found something very similiar but made of brass.

I just thought it a piece of folk art or something of the like.

So, that part I found is brass as well.
I believe it will be a part of a mortise lock set.
Examples below

S

 

[Jelly_936]

It appears you may be correct! I never would have guessed that. Good idea sir!

 

[Cpackjr]

A couple of updates. The 2nd shell I found came out of the electrolysis after 5 days and you can see the amazing before/after picture below.
I also went back today to the site.. and found somthing else……possibly a cannonball!
It’s a little over 3” in diameter and weighs 4 1/2 pounds.
It’s crusted and muddy so weight may be off. It’s in the electrolysis now.
I’m reading the ordnance manuals to try and see what it is exactly after I can measure it accurately and weigh it. I’ve also read about the mold seam, spru’s and etc to make sure it’s what it seems..
What it up with this site Household items are rare, lots of iron, (2 field hoes today) and a couple railroad items and spikes. Pic’s of a couple of todays examples below
Still reading, looking at maps and trying to figure it out……..

 

[Digger RJ]

Hunted a new Site yesterday, I heard about it recently and started the research found out it was purchased By the last resident in 1926. I could not find out when the property was first occupied. It does not appear on topo maps, but I see it on aerial photos in 1957 and it seem to be a multi building farm. When I got to it there were a lot of cut stone stacks, and a couple of cellar holes. I have been looking for new sites and had recently gotten into some brushy thorny messes with no good access. This site was open with just ferns and weeds. I found typical iron and roof tin and I spent a lot of time cruising around quickly and concentrated in the most open areas. My first great find was the C&O RY brass lock.
Then I had another big target away from the buildings in a rocky area, which sounded pretty good for some reason. When I dug it I had to pull out some big rocks and it was pretty deep. I pulled it out and Immediately thought this looks like a shell, but I know there’s lots of items that look like that. I carried it out along with the lock, and a sadd iron, which made a very heavy load. I have read and read and read and compared with pictures and I am almost 100% convinced this is a Confederate Archer 3 inch shell made in Richmond Virginia before 1862. It would’ve had a lead Sabot and wood plug in it with a paper timer.
Why in southern WV? There were Union troops posted in Beckley (12 miles away) for most of a year that went on raids, forged in the area and travelled to New River several times to engage confederates and one route to New River was along Glade Creek which is within sight of where this shell was found
This was at a farm and it could’ve been somebody brought it home with them from the war, collected it or it could’ve been Confederate shooting down into Glade Creek Canyon
There’s almost no way of knowing, but it is one of my coolest finds ever.
This shell weighs approx 5.25 poundsis 5 1/2 inches long and 3” diameter and the hollow holds close to cup of water.


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Very Cool!!! Congrats!!!

 

[Cpackjr]

That electrolysis is the bomb. (Pun intended) See before and after on the 6 pounder below..
After cleaning it weighs 2 ounces under ordinance manual specs at 5 lb 14.5 oz. (I originally wrote 4 1/2 pounds above, don’t know if it was a mistype or where I had to scales on an uneven porch )
The diameter measured with caliper is almost spot on at 3.56 inches and manual calls for 3.58. Rust can explain under weight maybe. In certain light I can see what I think is a mold seam and numerous spots could be filed spru’s.