Waveoff
Elite Member
I found this bullet today out in the middle of a field at my honey hole. Can anyone ID this for me? Thanks!
Help with bullet ID please!
- Thread starter Waveoff
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NectarDetector
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NO bullet expert, guessing a 58 cal cw era bullet aka minie' ball
Waveoff
Elite Member
I was thinking minie ball also because of the rings and concave bottom but wasn't sure because most of the stuff I find in this particular spot is late 1800's to early 1900's. However, there has been activity in that area since before the French and Indian War.
Charlie Tuna
Elite Member
Not a Minie ball, no hollow base. What is there is almost impossible to ID for certain. Especially without measurements of how big it is (or rather how big it was before it was flattened.
Waveoff
Elite Member
Hmmm. Maybe it's a more modern muzzleloader bullet or something?
ncwayne
Full Member
I have a civil war bullet in hand that I found years ago. It measures .527" dia and has a flat base (not all civil war bullets had cavities in their bases). My bullet is a 52 cal Sharps and has two raised rings rather than grooves. Holding it beside a nickel, its relative size to the nickel is very much the same as your bullet. I'm not saying your bullet is definitely civil war, but I can't say that it isn't.
I'd think Pittsburg area would have had numerous training camps during the war. And civil war stuff does turn up in the unlikeliest places.
I'd think Pittsburg area would have had numerous training camps during the war. And civil war stuff does turn up in the unlikeliest places.
NectarDetector
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I agree, not all CW bullets have hallow base, many didn't 
Could be a carbine bullet, impossible to measure what you've got. You might narrow it a bit by getting a weight, but it is most likely not all there. Possibly a Sharps, Spencer, Merrill, Colt rifle,
or some other rarer cartridges. Looks like it hit a solid flat object at high speed and close range.
or some other rarer cartridges. Looks like it hit a solid flat object at high speed and close range.
Waveoff
Elite Member
Thanks for all of the feedback everyone! I'll just have to hit that field some more and see what else turns up.
If there was one fired one, the trick is to go to where it was fired from and look for "drops" that are unfired. Then you have about a 100% chance of ID.
good luck
steveg
Elite Member
As others have said, hard to tell, but I could see the argument for that being a Sharps...
Steve
Steve
Waveoff
Elite Member
As others have said, hard to tell, but I could see the argument for that being a Sharps...
Steve
Thanks for all of the input everyone. I've been hitting that field when I can looking for some drops and other goodies.
