Grapeshot

Description

Sponsors

This item is a part of the 1812 History digitization project. This project was made possible with the support of the Department of Canadian Heritage through the Canadian Culture Online Strategy.

Media Type

Object

Description

This is an example of ammunition used in artillery during the War of 1812.

Commonly termed a grapeshot, this round grayish ball of lead has a circumference of 3 3/4 inches. The surface is not smooth and ranges in color from gray, brown to rust.

Grapeshot was made up of canvas bags that held a large number of iron balls similar to a shot gun shell. These rounds were used to defeat infantry and cavalry columns.

Date of Original

circa 1812

Dimensions