This iron hot shot base
was patented by Charles T. James, patent #34,950, on April 15, 1862. The iron base was
designed to keep the red-hot projectile from making contact with the powder charge in the
cannon, which could cause a premature discharge. It was used in a 3.67-inch rifled cannon
and could also be fired from a 6-pounder (3.67-inch caliber) smoothbore cannon. An added
feature with this design is that upon firing the iron base would itself would become a
projectile; thereby, inflicting greater damage. Note the spherical 6-pounder (3.67-inch
caliber) solid shot in the photograph that is used to illustrate how the red-hot ball
would rest on the base. This pictured specimen was recovered from Fort
Pillow, Tennessee.
