Bullet Identification???

[Hestercd]

I'm looking for any information on this bullet I recently found while metal detecting in the Dug Gap area of NW Georgia. I have found many bullets here that date from the Civil War Battle that took place in this area all the way to modern ones that look as if they were fired just before I dug them up. This is the first kind like this however. I've included the measurements in the photos. Keeping in mind, of course, that these are as close to an "exact" measurement I could get from a fired bullet that is fairly deformed in some areas.

If anyone can help with an identification (caliber/type, maker, dates it would have been in use if not current) I would really appreciate it as then I can mark it off my list of unknowns! Thanks everyone!

[duggap]

Your bullet is not civilwar. Look at the crimp marks on the groves. That method of loading bullets didn't come along until later.

[Hestercd]

Thanks duggap!

Yes the "crimp marks" or knurled groove in the bullet did tell me it is post Civil War era. If anyone knows when they began using knurled grooves for the cannelure that could at least give us an "earliest date of use" to go by as a reference point. Just a thought...

[Monty]

Looks like a .22 since it was outside the case lubricated from all appearances. Monty

[TheCannonballGuy]

Hestercd wrote:
> If anyone knows when they began using knurled grooves for the cannelure that could at least give us
> an "earliest date of use" to go by as a reference point.

The term knurled groove is also called a reeded groove or reeded cannelure. The earliest seem to have been manufactured in the 1880s. It's theoretically possible that some were made in the late-1870s, but I haven't seen any solid documentation for that early a date on any of the cartridge-collector websites I've checked.

According the Wikipedia, the .22 Long Rifle (.22LR) cartridge was first introduced in 1887. Its use did not become "widespread" until the eraly 20th-century. It has remained in widespread use ever since then.

Because your fired .22LR bullet has two reeded grooves and is NOT copper-coated, it is most likely from sometime between the early-1900s and the 1970s.

[taz42o]

1.9 cm = 19mm, too long for a 22
Also I think smaller caliber.

[TheCannonballGuy]

Taz42o, I agree, but I felt I had to accept the digger's .4cm (4mm) measurement, because he is examining and measuring the bullet in real-life, while all we can do is look at the photos. Comparing it with the penny in the photo, the bullet actually looks wider than 4mm.

[taz42o]

yea something is not right. length must be right compared to penny , about 19 mm.
so im guessing about 8mm dia. witch would put at closer to a .30-.32 cal. or a 8mm.

[High Plains Digger]

I have found two different lengths of a .30 cal of similar date. My first learning experience with the reeded groove.

[Hestercd]

@taz42o - Good eye!!!

I took a look at the measurements again and it does seem to be much closer to 8mm for the width.

@cannonballguy - Nice job checking up on the history!

Thanks everyone for their input so far, looks like it's getting narrowed down closer and closer!

[Monty]

In spite of all the figuring and discussing, the bullet still looks to be outside lubed. Need some explanation for that. I don't have one. Monty