Grapeshot Info

R

RonW

Established Users
I found these 3 grapeshot all within 100 yards of each other so probably came from same guns. They average approx. 2.11 caliber although I get a different reading each time. Sorry, I don't have a scale for weighing. My question is, what caliber gun?? We had 24 lb and 32 lb (as well as smaller guns) used during the battle here. And also, how many would have been in a stand of grape for this size?

Thanks in advance.
Ron
 

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Ron,
Grape shot was used mostly in the 12# and 24# guns. These were intended for Naval use. The 1861 Ordnance Manual states that the use of grape was discontinued in favor of cannister in field pieces. Any stands in exisisting inventories were used by both sides. Usually nine balls made a stand of grape.

Craig
 
Thanks Craig...but then are you saying these are cannister? I didn't think they were this big. I have found what I thought was cannister, but it was much smaller. I have also found the round lead balls that I have always considered to be cannister. This certainly was not naval in anyway as I am in the Ozarks of Missouri and the battle here was Price's Raid of 1864. Thanks for your info...I am certainly no expert in ID. I just like finding them.
Ron
 
Ron,

You are correct. That is grape. What I meant to say is that grape shot was designed for the navy. It was used to tear apart the rigging of other ships. The army found that smaller balls (cannister) was far more lethal when used on massed formations. The existing stocks of grape shot were distributed through both the army and navy. Also the 12# and 24# smoothebore field guns that it was used in were not naval guns. Grape has been recovered on most battlefields.

Craig
 
Ron,

Here are some sizes and weights of US grape.
CS grape shot is usually identified by large casting
seams.

12 lb. dia.2.02-2.06 weight 1.14

18 lb. 2.36-2.40 1.18

24 lb. 2.60-2.64 2.4

Hope this helps to identify your grape. Because the balls
are iron they will decompose quicker than lead. This could
give different weights and diameters.

CraigC
 
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