Found old bullet

[tony2163]

Hi from Nova Scotia Canada,

Found this old bullet in an a field that once use to be used for military housing. Just trying to date it and to make sure that it is real and not a recent creation, looks late 1800's. Any one with experience in this field who could give me a bit of advice would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers
Tony

 

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[Chrisb88]

It's a Union Bullet from the US Civil War... Confederate Bullets have Two rings around it.

 

[tony2163]

Thanks, guess the Canadians and the Union soldiers were getting their bullets from the same place, kinda cool finding them here in Canada.

 

[Old Dude]

You're right that it could be a modern one, a replica. They have made some that look very much like the originals with a couple differences. If you give TheCannonballGuy a shout, he can give you a definite answer with a couple measurements and weights. Take a pic of the end of the bullet too. I believe that is one of the differences.....whether the inside is flat or conical. Good luck....hope it is authentic!

 

[TheCannonballGuy]

It appears to be a British-made bullet, not US-made. To determine its time-period, we need photos showing the bullet's top and base. Also need super-precise measurements of its diameter, in hundredths-of-an-inch.

 

[tony2163]

Thanks everyone for your replies, to help in determining authenticity I'm going to try and find a pair off digital calipers as thecannonguy recommends. As I have been told they are probably British made not American, which makes a great deal of sense when you look at Canadian history. In the mean time I posted pics with a scale to show various sides.

 

[TheCannonballGuy]

Thanks for the base-view and top-view photos. They enable me to identify your larger than 1/2"-diameter bullets as being for the breechloading .577-caliber Snider Enfield rifle, which replaced the muzzleloading .577 Enfield Model-1853 rifle in 1866. It was the British Army's primary Infantry rifle from 1866 to 1871. However, the Canadian Army continued to use it until the 1890s. For historical info on that rifle, and a photo showing the Model-1866's cartridge-bullet, go to: Snider-Enfield - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

That explains why you are finding your Snider Enfield bullets in a field in Canada. Although all but one of your bullets appear to be undamaged/unfired, micro-examination reveals they show rifling-marks on their sides, so they are fired, most probably from target-practice.

 

[tony2163]

Thanks Cannonball, appreciate your help, now I'm off to try and find a set of scales and some calipers :-)