4th Time Out - Civil War Era Bullet?

[sierraipa]

I am pretty psyched about today. I have been out to some parks to get the hang of things, and have gotten about $3 in clad and a silver ring thus far, but today was awesome! I was at a private residence, and there was a significant civil war battle about 1/2 mile away. I was hoping to find something under some old live oaks at the back of the property where is backs up to a marsh creek. My first signal was reading a steady 71 - 72 on the AT Pro. I thought to myself, "Self, this could be a bullet." But, I didn't really believe it until I pulled it out of the sandy soil. I was transfixed.

I am now officially hooked. I thought that it was a minie ball, but it looks like the skirt is longer than the typical minie, and the grooves (rings) don't appear to have the same shape to them as the original minie design. There were lots of different Union regiments in the area as well as Confederate soldiers. Does anyone have any idea on an identification? I don't have a reference guide - yet I am including three photos. The caliber appears to be "0.525. Also, although I am clearly new to this, I don't see any rifling marks on the bullet. The hole in the tip is off to one side. Is this part of the normal casting process? Or does this indicate that it was pulled?

Thanks for looking - and especially thanks for all your encouragement as I have gotten started in this hobby.

Kevin

 

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[HomeGuardDan]

Yup...Civil War era and a good one at that! You have what are sometimes called a Charleston Arsenal CS Highbase. North Carolinians call them Greensboro Arsenal, either way, they are a CS High Base three ringer and not nearly as common as other three ringers or typical CS bulelts (Enfields, Gardners, etc.) Hunt there more, should be a good CS button hiding!

Dan

 

[sierraipa]

HomeGuardDan, thank you so much for that. The location I was in would suggest that it was a Confederate bullet, so that certainly jives. And, yes, it is near Charleston. Does the Highbase designation have to do with the longer area between the rings and the base as compared with other bullets of the period? Do you have any thoughts on the offset hole in the top?

Thanks again,
Kevin

 

[HomeGuardDan]

indeed, the high base refers to the large lower ring or as you put it gap between the first groove and base. The hole is tough to see in the picture...most likely just an air pocket in the mold pour, or just a defect. However, if there are grooves (like from a screw) inside the hole, it is from being wormed or extracted.

Dan

 

[sierraipa]

Thanks.

The hole is rather small (about the size of a sowing needle) and off to the side of the tip by about .08 inches. I cannot image how a pull would have been used in such a small hole and not being centered. So, it sounds like a defect or air bubble based on your assessment. Maybe it was just dropped there. The location of the find is consistent with the location of the Confederate soldiers during the battle. It was right behind a very old live oak tree. So it may be that a soldier was taking cover at this point since the battle was being waged exactly on the other side of the oak tree - and the Confederates were advancing from the side I found it.

Cool man,
Kevin

 

[CoilyGirl]

How great that your first CW bullet was such a unique one.

 

[sierraipa]

Thank you, CoilyGirl.

I feel very grateful to have had this opportunity. The whole thing continues to surprise me. Now, I am looking forward to the next find, whether it be tomorrow or next year. Just gonna keep digging and keeping the proper etiquette alive.

Kevin