All Federal
Read-Parrott projectiles with wrought iron ring sabots were manufactured for use in the
10-pounder Parrott rifle of 2.9-inch caliber. The wrought iron ring was cast first and
placed into the projectile mould in such a manner that, after casting, it was firmly
embedded in the metal body. It was then placed in a metal cylinder and pre-stamped
(according to Parrott's patent information) with the rifling grooves. The fuze in this
specimen consists of a zinc anvil cap and a zinc striker. A percussion cap rested upon the
iron nipple of the zinc striker. Often upon firing, the striker would bind at an angle
inside the threaded fuze cavity of the nose of the projectile, thus preventing detonation
due to the lack of contact with the anvil cap. Parrott patented this
projectile on August 20, 1861, United
States Patent # 33,100.
