Civil War Bullet Collision

[Appalachianman76]

Did some detecting around the trenches today. One of my finds is what looks to be a mid-air collision and fusion of a .36 or .40 caliber roundball and a .58 caliber minie ball. I'd heard about these and seen pictures, but never thought I'd find one!

 

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[Davers]

Good question.

Maybe the larger 3 ringer was fired from farther away , loosing much of its speed.?

 

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[Davers]

Did some detecting around the trenches today. One of my finds is what looks to be a mid-air collision and fusion of a .36 or .40 caliber roundball and a .58 caliber minie ball. I'd heard about these and seen pictures, but never thought I'd find one!

More pictures ..Please....As many as possible.
Thanks a Ton Davers

 

[ronr]

Why would the larger bullet suffer the most damage? I wouldn't be too certain that what's pictured is the result of a collision......

I agree. No rifling marks on the bullet. Appears more like the nose melted.

 

[Carolina Tom]

Very cool find. Congrats.

 

[1320]

I agree. No rifling marks on the bullet. Appears more like the nose melted.

After conducting some quick google research regarding civil war bullet collisions, rifling (or lack thereof) is the primary key in making the determination. No rifling on the ringer bullet in my opinion. More plausible (as suggested by the research) is that the ball struck the ringer while it lay on the ground...there are other scenarios as well. Not banner worthy in my opinion but definitely one hell of a find, congrats.

 

[ScubaDetector]

If you think about it. They were both shot to hit the other shooter. So both shooters outlived those two bullets. Kind of humbling to know they both survived that shot but what happened to them will never be known. Did they run out of luck with the next shot, did they survive the war? Those bullets were aimed to kill in an awful war. Thanks for sharing.

 

[DigIron2]

Looks like that pistol ball or maybe 54 cal, hit directly head on too. Them are some kind of rare and valuable man.. Congratulations to you..Banner!