Miniature Civil War Mortar, Cast Entirely from Confederate Bullets from Ft. Hell In Petersburg and Engraved with a 9th Corps B...

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Miniature Civil War Mortar, Cast Entirely from Confederate Bullets from Ft. Hell In Petersburg and Engraved with a 9th Corps Badge. A number (approx 20 with 12 of them now housed in one collection) of these have surfaced over the years, all slightly different, with the same form of ID and all are traceable to the trenches/redoubts at Petersburg. One presentation specimen is identified to a "Major Brennan" as the maker, in the winter of 1864. On this example the gun tube is 3 ¾" long with a 2¼" diameter and a 1" bore. The touch hole is bored through. Barely discernible on the face of the muzzle "Fort Hell". The top of the tube is very nicely engraved with a 1¼" X 1 5/8" 9th Corps badge. Shield shaped with crossed cannon and anchor in the center. The carriage is 5 ¼" long, 3 1/8" wide and 2 ¼" high. Neatly engraved on one side "Made from Rebel Bullets". The entire piece very well made and obviously very heavy. Typically it exhibits a plethora of tiny dents and scratches because of the softness of the lead in the same condition as the other specimens that have been noted, very nice patina, and all engraving readable without effort. A most unusual and very rare Civil War artifact with only a handful of known examples.