130 3ringers/Minnies in same hole and more theorem !

Whippetdog · Oct 18, 2015

130 3ringers/Minnies in same hole and more still there !!!!!

Took a break from relic hunting for awhile, but got back into it last month. My detecting buddy and I have found over 200 minis so far as well as buttons, J Hooks, Bayonet handle and other camp items.

Today we found 130 minis in the same hole. There is still a lot left. We had to leave , but plenty of signals still there.

My question for some of you experts is " Why would there be that many bullets in a 4 x 4 area hole? Is there a box plate maybe in there? Thru research we know it is a Union defensive camp area.

Any help please ?

I also found a cool pipe with a lady on it!

Below are some pics of todays hunt. Can't wait to get back.

Thanks

Worm-Slicer · Oct 18, 2015

Looks like a nice place and very good possibility there was a cartridge box dropped where all those in the same hole, so check carefully for a box plate/breast plate combo.

parsonwalker · Oct 18, 2015

With due respect, that's way too many bullets for a cartridge pouch (which would lead you to believe there's a box plate or breast plate within). Most held 24 charged rounds. You have almost certainly found an entire wooden BOX of bullets (crate) which may have originally held as many as 500 (or 200, 300 etc.). Sometimes they fell off a wagon, or the bottom fell out, or it just got dropped and broke open. They may have scooped up a few, but after a violent box-burst, it's likely the paper cartridges were tearing or torn. They just left them there. Your bullets show plenty of evidence of "powder-rot" - just meaning they have been in the hole with lots of black powder for many years. Sounds like you guys have an EXCELLENT spot with TONS of potential. NN was a HOT area. I'm envious. That pipe bowl is super cool too!

parsonwalker · Oct 18, 2015

BTW - You def have a cartridge box finial (Lower right, 1st photo) -was that in the hole with the bullets?! And nice epaulette keeper (Middle right) . . .

Ron (CA) · Oct 19, 2015

Very Cool-- Congrats on a great find!

HD Paulie · Oct 19, 2015

Awesome finds and your hard work has paid off!! Well done my friend!! :icon_thumright:

CASPER-2 · Oct 19, 2015

against the wind · Oct 19, 2015

With all the positive feedback you have gotten on this site's potential, I'm surprised that you haven't pitched a tent.
Nice score.

thrifty76now · Oct 19, 2015

HHHHoly cow you all have found an ammunition dump for sure!

ivan salis · Oct 19, 2015

likely a box of ammo got wet -- the paper wrapped "cartridges" (combined powder charge and bullet wrapped into a paper cartridge ) which if dampened by wetness / bad weather ....were useless since they would not fire-- so often the union soldiers would bury the bum cartridges by dumping the ammo out of the box into a hole (sometimes they kept the box)--other times they just buried the whole box----the north had no shortage of ammo --so rather then "unroll" all the cartridges to "save" the bullets like the south would have --the union men just buried them---over time the paper and powder rotted away

Davers · Oct 19, 2015

parsonwalker said:
With due respect, that's way too many bullets for a cartridge pouch (which would lead you to believe there's a box plate or breast plate within). Most held 24 charged rounds. You have almost certainly found an entire wooden BOX of bullets (crate) which may have originally held as many as 500 (or 200, 300 etc.). Sometimes they fell off a wagon, or the bottom fell out, or it just got dropped and broke open. They may have scooped up a few, but after a violent box-burst, it's likely the paper cartridges were tearing or torn. They just left them there. Your bullets show plenty of evidence of "powder-rot" - just meaning they have been in the hole with lots of black powder for many years. Sounds like you guys have an EXCELLENT spot with TONS of potential. NN was a HOT area. I'm envious. That pipe bowl is super cool too!

Your likely correct.
I was gonna say the cartridges likely got wet & were Discarded
Also Envious of that Site. lol.

Whippetdog · Oct 20, 2015

Davers said:
Your likely correct.
I was gonna say the cartridges likely got wet & were Discarded
Also Envious of that Site. lol.

Thanks guys for the info. Would love to camp out but this thing I got called a job gets in my way of relic hunting. Little League games too! Will be back at it this weekend. Will let you know what else comes out. My buddy and I can't wait to get back. He actually got the first signal, he needed help digging all those bullets so of course I had to help. Lol