Two Civil War artillery canister balls fused together, recovered at Shiloh

Being offered are two iron artillery canister balls that are fused together. Each one has a diameter of 7/8”. These balls would have been encased in a tin and when fired acted like a shotgun blast (see pictures). It was recovered at the Shiloh, Tennessee Battlefield.

The Battle of Shiloh, also known as the Battle of Pittsburg Landing, was fought April 6 - 7, 1862, in southwestern Tennessee. The Union army under Maj. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant had moved via the Tennessee River deep into Tennessee and was encamped principally at Pittsburg Landing on the west bank of the river, where Confederate forces under Generals Albert Sidney Johnston and P. G. T. Beauregard launched a surprise attack on Grant's army. The Confederates achieved considerable success on the first day but were ultimately defeated on the second day.

This is a unique piece and something you seldom see. It would make a great addition to any Civil War collection. It comes in the glass top display case pictured.