Shell Casings.

[michigan michael]

Hello everyone! I pulled these shell casings, musket balls, and pipe from an 1800's Sidewalk that I worked a few weeks back. I started cleaning up some of my finds and I noticed letters stamped in the bottom of the casings. I have zero knowledge of bullets so, if anyone can tell me what the stamped letters mean I would really appreciate it. Thanks everyone! This is by far my best relic hunt ever!

[michigan michael]

Few more pics............

[postalgriff]

man you got some cool old relics out of that place. not sure about the letters, but most of that stuff looks old military for sure. nice digs, I'll be keeping my eye out for torn out sidewalks. HH

[mpostma]

Just as an FYI. It is public information available from City Clerks and other city staff when sidewalks are to be torn up and redone. They will usually gladly give out the information if requested. They plan and budget for them, and if outside contractors are doing the work they know when the contracts will be let, and what the deadlines are.

I am mayor of my small town, and we know months in advance when sidewalks are going to be torn out.

Good Luck,
Mark

[Brentallica]

Nice finds for sure!!
Good job

[michigan michael]

UMC= Union Metallic Cartridge. Still in business, that's a .12 gauge shotgun.
P= Peters, that looks to be a .22 rimfire, later merged with Remington in the 40s, sold seperately as "Peters" til the 1960s, then it was "Remington_Peters" and then just phased out.
the "US" are interesting..
These would be VERY easy to identify if they were posted with a size reference.
H- Winchester made .22 rimfire "H for 'henry", not sure about the date..
not an expert, just a shooter.
:-)

Thanks Rando! I am in the middle of a move so after I get settled I will repost with a size reference.

[turtlefoot13]

I am guessing that the UMC will date from 1867-1911 as it became REM-UMC in 1911.

The casings marked US could be from the US Cartridge Company 1864-1938.

Here is one of my favorite research sites for headstamps.
http://members.shaw.ca/cstein0/welcome.htm
and a direct link to the shotgun page.
http://members.shaw.ca/cartridge-corner/shotgun.htm

Doug

[jrd749]

i have a question for you ? in that first pic that you show there is a bullet i believe next to that coin do you know how old that bullet is? or anything about that bullet?
i found one myself and saw that pic and it is exactly the same.
thanks
jrd