Civil War Sawyer Naval Shell, 5.8 inch rarity 9 shell from Battle of Mobile Bay For Sale

Here you have one of the rarest and most interesting US Navy shells used during the Civil War. This 5.86\" Sawyer shell was recovered by me from Mobile Bay years ago. It is identical to the one shown on page 357 in Jack Bell\'s excellent book: \"Civil War Heavy Explosive Ordnance\". In fact it was fired from the same gun as the one pictured which I also found. After a hundred or so rounds the Sawyer rifle burst putting and end to this shell\'s brief wartime use. The shell is sheathed in a lead jacket and has 6 pre-engraved rifled flanges. The lead jacket tends to blow off and even jam the gun which is what I am sure burst that gun. Admiral Farragut personally inspected the burst Sawyer rifle and it was of much concern to him. (see ORN)The fuze is perfect and is percussion, it did not work at all if it hit a soft target or water. (Several of the smaller 5\" Sawyer shells were also recovered in the same area, the rifle that fired them also burst.) This historically significant round weighs 37lbs; is 11.4\" tall and is 5.8\" in diameter. It has been disarmed and is empty. Will make a worthy addition to your collection and will appreciate in value. This is a sale. Happy offerding!