Bullet Help (Modern or CW)?

[RiverRat3]

Hello, went out hunting with some friends Saturday in a spot that we have found many CW relics. Within a 20 foot area I found several 3 ringers and musket balls. I found this bullet and my friend found the same. I would imagine it to be a pistol round but who knows. Around the ring it has lines (see pictures). The patina is the same as the other 3 ringers. Any help would be appreciated.

Weight: 138.89 grains
Lenght: 0.63 inches
Width: 0.35 inches

 

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[ivan salis]

one ringers with crimp markings * are post smokeless powder thus very late 1800 to early 1900 era

 

[DirtyMike]

This exact bullet has driven me crazy for a couple years now. I find these bullets quite often around here. First I want to say I know that the crimps date it post war but..... I find these in civil war camps all the time. Now I know that there were people there after the war but its quite odd how myself as well as several people that I hunt with all find these in our camp spots on a regular basis. I would love to see a exact id on this bullet. I have seen them posted on here a few times and in junk boxes at shows. So I know they are a bullet that is being found a good bit. Thanks for the post and good luck with the id. I will be looking.

 

[RiverRat3]

Hello, under my description is the grain weight, length and width. What other measurements should I get? Thanks for your help.

This exact bullet has driven me crazy for a couple years now. I find these bullets quite often around here. First I want to say I know that the crimps date it post war but..... I find these in civil war camps all the time. Now I know that there were people there after the war but its quite odd how myself as well as several people that I hunt with all find these in our camp spots on a regular basis. I would love to see a exact id on this bullet. I have seen them posted on here a few times and in junk boxes at shows. So I know they are a bullet that is being found a good bit. Thanks for the post and good luck with the id. I will be looking.

Well, without measurements I would suspect it is a .30-30 or a .32 Winchester....

VERY common rifle caliber.

 

[ivan salis]

might be a 35 cal * (.350 inches) rifle round -- like a 35 remington or 35 whelen

 

[TiredIron]

Not to offend you Ivan.....but the 35 Remington, 35 Whelen, are the same diameter at the
38 S&W, 38 Special, 357 Mag..... .357-358 inches. Course the when you get to the 38-55 the bullet is .375. The weapons and ammunition manufacturers sure had an convoluted system of naming calibers which certainly causes a lot of confusion today. Combine that with the popularity of shooting "old style" nostalgic rifles and pistols today......and there's no tell what one will find in the dirt or backstop.
I wish every MD'er was required to carry a cheap pair of calipers when he/her photographs his/her finds.
RR3.....was this really .350 inches as measured with a mic or caliper?
Just checking.

 

[ivan salis]

heck I forgot to check out the length ***-- your right most likely 38 cal pistol -- and many bullets are about the same dia. -- i used the (350 * dia that the finder listed as a rough size possible guide to the gun that fired it and was thinking along the lines of rifle rather than pistol)

 

[TiredIron]

When Smith & Wesson first introduced their 38's in 1876 they favored a bullet style like this that weighed 140-146 grains. The early S&W 38 was a fairly weak cartridge up and into 1899-1902 when they then introduced the 38 Special. Both were propelled by black powder.
I agree with everyone here that this is probably a early 38 S&W style with more modern knurled cannalure. They've been shooting them for 135 years....
One thing we can say for sure is.....its not a cast bullet.

 

[Monty]

Just one question River Rat. Is the base (bottom) of the bullet flat or is it hollow? The 30/30 Winchester was the first American smokeless powder cartridge and it used a bullet of .307 diameter. Later on it went to a normal .308" or what is now commonly called a .30 caliber. A .35 caliber rifle bullet would probablly be much longer and weigh around 200 gr. or more. So, it's not a rifle bullet I don't believe. Just one grove that appears to be for crimping as it is gnurled rather than cast would make me think it is a handgun bullet. If hollow based it may be for an early .36 caliber Navy conversion to metalic cartridges. This was done just before metalic cartridges became the norm. Many old Navy model handguns were converted. If so, the bullet would have been slightly undersized for easy loading and the hollow base was designed to "flare" on firing to catch the lands and grooves. Seeing as how it is only 136 gr in weight makes me think it nearly has to be a handgun bullet. Rifle bullets tend to be 150 gr. and heavier, much heavier in .35 caliber and would almost have to have a grease or lubricating groove due to the higher velocity. Just my guess after looking at the measurements. If I am wrong it isn't the first time! Monty
Forgot to add, first conversion was in .38 (35 caliber) rimfire and then later in .38 caliber center fire.