Description:

KETCHUM HAND GRENADE
A rare Civil War relic, an original three-pound Civil War Ketchum grenade, 13" long including the wooden fins that assured that the grenade always landed on its spring-loaded nose, triggering the device. Developed and patented in 1861 by William F. Ketchum and produced in 1, 3 and 5 pound models, the grenade had superior explosive power and was used at the sieges of Vicksburg and Petersburgh...but with mixed success. It was modeled by Ketchum on a dart whose purpose may have been obvious, but when thrown into enemy lines, these simple projectiles were met with surprise and confusion by the troops, who simply hurled them aside! Furthermore, the nose trigger was not foolproof and in one instance, the bombs were caught by Confederates in blankets who would hurl them back into the Union lines! This example lacks one fin, but is in otherwise very good condition, attached to a wooden plaque ready for display. From the collection of Wendell Lang, Jr. Very rare.

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January 20, 2010 10:00 AM EST
Stamford, CT, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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