The Samuel Gardiner "Musket Shell"

[leadhead]

Folks,

I originally posted this article on another ACW discussion forum in an attempt to get some interest in the types of weapons and projectiles used. If there is interest, I will start some threads on some of the unusual designs, fabulous failures and ingenious developments in technology and showing some rare specimens of bullets, cartridges and firearms from the period.

The Gardiner "Musket Shell"

Manufactured under a patent secured by Samuel Gardiner as "a new and useful Improvement in Explosive Projectiles for Muskets and other Small-Arms" The Gardiner "Musket Shell" was destined to become the most controversial small arms projectile of the entire ACW. The bullet, cast from a lead/pewter alloy for brittleness, was designed to explode approximately 1 1/2 seconds after firing, with the intent of causing grievous wounds. Gardiner's patent bullet was manufactured in two calibers, .58 for the conventional Federal shoulder arms and .52 cal for the Sharps Rifle and Carbine. More than 100,000 .58 cal bullets were made, but fewer than 20,000 of the smaller caliber were produced, making it one of the rarest bullets available today.

An internal bursting charge was contained within a small copper "acorn" in the center of the body of the bullet. A plug of slow burning powder/fulminate mix was connected to this charge and was visible through a hole in the nozzle located in the center of the base of the bullet. On firing, this plug would ignite, slowly transferring the flame to the bursting charge as the projectile traveled downrange.

Both calibers featured a stamp around the perimeter of the base reading "S. Gardiner Jr. Shell Patent Secured" in raised letters (see close-up of base). These projectiles were issued at only two major battles, Chancellorsville and Gettysburg before being withdrawn from service due to dislike by the soldiers and claims by high ranking officers that the projectile was "too fiendish" for civilized use.

The .58 cal specimen pictured here does have most of the patent stamp remaining and was recovered in Stafford County, VA. The extremely rare .52 cal specimen was recovered just off Taneytown Road here in Gettysburg, on private land abutting the battlefield on the eastern side of LRT. Since only the 2nd NH was equipped with Sharps Rifles in that area of the field, and records indicate that they turned off the road exactly at the recovery location to head out to the Sherfy Peach Orchard a positive ID can be established. Like the pictured .58 cal specimen, most of the patent information remains on the rim of this bullet.

A bullet that was determined to be too violent for warfare, a kinder gentler time.

TomH

[Henry Moon]

Tom, thanks for the post. Interesting article about a deadly bullet. I'd like to see some more info on projectiles. Did you intend to post a photo with the post?  Didn't come through on my computer, if you did. Thanks.

Terry

[leadhead]

Terry,

There are two photos attached to the post. Can you see them? Can anyone see them?

Thanks for the input, once we get the image issue straightened out I will post some other similar threads.

TomH

[Webmaster]

Hi Tom
I think that this discussion about weapons can be very intressting.
It said that we in Sweden dont have this weapons here.

[Henry Moon]

I have them now Tom, thanks.

Terry

[Henry Moon]

... was designed to explode approximately 1 1/2 seconds after firing, with the intent of causing grievous wounds.

 
I have no doubt about that. I think a hit from that would definitely leave a mark. Tom, how far would the bullet have traveled in 1.5 secs at the time it exploded? And was it's use discontinued primarily because of it's capability to deliver a more devastating injury?  What about shotguns?  Didn't they also have the capacity for enormous destructive damage, although maybe at a closer range?  Was the explosive factor the deciding one in making the decision to ban that projectile?  Did the Confederates ever have access to or use of that bullet?  Was it solely a Federal High Command decision to ban it? Was Lincoln in on it?  Do you still play piano?     Thanks for the info.



Terry

[Johan Steele]

IIRC the CS did have access to these after capturing a batch at Chanclorsville, I believe Fuller details the bullet in his groundbreaking work The Rifled Musket but if I'm correct that's about the only place I can think of reading about them.

Actually on review 100,000 rounds is only about one ammo issue for a brigade.  Puts the number in perspective.

[Henry Moon]

Thanks Shane. So, what is the story with those explosive personal munitions? You're a former military man. I know NATO subscribes to the "Full Metal Jacket" theory, where supposedly such a jacket will kill, but also will be less likely to maim, than a soft lead bullet.  In essence, the decision made back then during the civil war with that bullet was that it was ok to kill the enemy, but not to inflict hideous wounds and leave him alive.  I know lead was used excessively in the war, but the explosive bullets got the thumbs down, so they drew the line at exploding bullets.

And so it's evolved now into today's military, at least NATO's forces, that all bullets will have a "full metal jacket", and no soft lead. What about special forces? All bets are off with those guys are they not? 

I have no prior military experience so I'm just guessing, and I have limited knowledge (very) of the rules of War. Shane and anyone else who wants to weigh in, please do so. I'd still like to hear from Tom the Leadhead too.


Terry

[leadhead]

Terry, Shane,

The CS had limited use of the Gardiners captured at Chancellorsville but it is believed that they were not liked south of the Mason Dixon any more than they were in the north. Some of the CS captured specimens were even used as filler in some artillery shells (I have seen photos of a 12 pound sherical filled with them). The CS toyed with their own versions of explosive bullets but they were never put into full scale production. The most recognized is a two piece bullet that was very unstable and today is one of the most valuable ACW bullets available (fewer than 10 specimens are known to exist).

The Federals stopped using them for two reasons. They were considered inhumane by some ranking officers (again, a kinder gentler time) and the soldiers did not want to carry them after Gettysburg as stories spread about a 2nd NH trooper whose cartridge box exploded when struck by a CS round. Many .58cal specimens have been recovered south of G'Burg where 5th, 3rd and 2nd corps camped on the way out and it is believed that the soldiers dumped their remaining rounds. I have one .58 cal that was recovered about 1000 feet from Meade's hqtrs here in the Burg and one from Stafford, VA. The .52 cal in the photo was recovered about 20 feet from the tail of Sedwick's monument mount by digger Chuck Thompson and I ended up with it when I purchased a portion of the Wendel Lang bullet collection about three years ago.

Terry,

The average muzzle velocity of a .58 cal shoulder arm was 800 to 900 fps so the ball would travel approximately 400 to 450 yards in 1 1/2 seconds. The technology for producing metal jacketed bullets was not available during the ACW so all small arms projectiles (with the exception of the Gardiner) were soft lead tipped. Ironically, the slower moving soft lead bullets actually caused more grievous wounds than the higher velocity jacketed rounds used today by NATO.

Shane,

Fuller does mention the Gardiner in "The Rifled Musket" but the major research has been provided by Dean Thomas in his "Roundball to Rimfire" series.

Terry,

I haven't played seriously in more than 5 years  . Getting old and slow and my hands now feel like they are made of stone.

Later,
TomH

[Henry Moon]

Tom, thanks for your reply. Did the troops using those rounds know the approximate distance they would travel to allow them to explode before impact, and did they try to use that range so that the bullet would explode before impact for maximum effect? Would the bullet explode on impact or would the impact disable the combustion process?  Were they trained to use the range, to wound more men, I guess is what I'm asking, or just to hit the enemy with slug, exploded or not?  Thanks a lot for your info, Tom.


Terry