Bullet and Button from Civil War area.

[Baldingboy]

Ok...I was hunting in an area of Southeast Missouri where a major Civil War battle happened in our town. This area has been beat to death by detectorist, but I found this bullet and button about 6" deep amongst a ton of tree roots. I would appreciate any information on either one.

Thanks,
Baldingboy

 

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[duggap]

I don't believe either of your artifacts are civil war. The button back indicates the button is fairly modern. If you look at the bottom grove on the bullet you will see crimp marks. Those only came about with metal cartridges after the war. Sorry but keep looking.

 

[dcinffxva]

Although I don't recognize the bullet as a war time production, they did have metal cartridges during the war. Henry's and Spencers were the first to come to mind.

 

[duggap]

There were several metal cartridges used during the war, including Burnsides and Smith and Wessen. But you do not see the crimp marks on the civil war bullets. That method of loading is post war.

 

[fortbball9]

Very nice button but neither the button or the bullet is from the CW era.SORRY!!!!.

good call duggap

 

[BuckleBoy]

There were several metal cartridges used during the war, including Burnsides and Smith and Wessen. But you do not see the crimp marks on the civil war bullets. That method of loading is post war.

You're exactly right.


I'd take an interesting button anyday, but I'm afraid it's post-CW as well.


Best Wishes,


Buckleboy

 

[ivan salis]

the back of the button is the "the self shank" type -- that is the is the keyfactor in dating it -- the crimp mark on the bullet was due to the fact that after the war --- bullets were outer lubed on the outside of the case rather than the part of the bullet in the case being lubed --thus the case was crimped to prevent lube from coming into contact with the powder . some crimped bullets were used in the war but by and large most crimped bullets are thought of as post war by most people.

I have a smith and wesson pistol MODEL 2 32 CAL bullet from one of the early cartridge "rimfire " pistols-- the lead was pulled and made into a fishing weight by a bored sentry standing post guard duty along a low water crossing area along the st marys river (florida / ga border area) long ago -- (guess he wanted a bit of fresh fish to liven up his dinner)-- he took his knife and cut a long groove for the fishing line to fit in -- and it has 2 sets of plier marks where he used a set of pliers in a attempt to close it with out luck. --so he pitched it -- his loss was my gain

 

[Monty]

Actually Ivan, I think the bullets were crimped so they wouldn't move forward in the case when the weapon was fired. An uncrimped lead bullet will jam up a revolver so the cylinder won't turn. Sometimes a lead bullet can actually come completely out of the case in a repeating rifle and dump the bullet and powder into the magazine. A single shot doesn't necessarily need to be crimped, nor does a lot of jacketed rifle bullets. Now days most of the reloading die manufacturers make a "factory crimp" die that will do away with the need to crimp every bullet. That's what I use when reloading for my semi-auto pistols. Monty

 

[ivan salis]

well your reason also makes good sense as well monty -- they might have had several reasons for crimping the rounds both yours as well as mine and even others as well -- I never said my "reason" had to be only reason why they did it -- its just one of em.

 

[Baldingboy]

Great Information everyone! I thank everyone for contributing the information. Ivan...cool story about the fishing weight!


Thanks again all.