CW Minis?

[GatorsMoon]

CW Mini's?

I am not sure if these would be CW era or not. Maybe someone on here with more experience on CW items could help.

I found these along the Kanawha River in W.V. about 1-1/2 miles from the mouth where the river empties into the Ohio. I have heard of troop movement thru here but not certain. A Union training camp in Ohio? If so this would explain them being here.

Were 3ringers only made during the CW?

 

[dcinffxva]

Re: CW Mini's?

The standard .58 cal three ringers began service with the model 1855 Rifled-Musket. The Model 1855 was followed by the Models 1861, and 1863, both of which also used the .58. Towards the end of the war, they were rapidly becoming obselete, being replaced by metallic cartridge weapons. Quite a few of the muzzle-loaders were altered to breech loading cartridge guns, using .58 rimfire ammunition, and later they were "sleeved" to fire.50 caliber cartridges. In 1873 the 45-70 "Trapdoor" replaced most of these conversions.

True, there were hundreds of thousands of these muskets, and millions of rounds of ammunition after the war, but rarely would you find them grouped in one area outside of military service. Many of the muskets were bored out, and sold as cheap shotguns, making the .58 Minie pretty much obselete post war.

 

[civil war hunter]

Re: CW Mini's?

hey we should go hunting together.

 

[{Sentinel}]

Re: CW Mini's?

You can bet on it! West Virginia as you know was part of Virginia leading up to the Civil War and the North was trying to agitate and split Virginia in two between her mountain folks and her low country folks. To do this they started a statehood movement with a new capital of (West Virginia) at Wheeling instead of at Richmond. This conflicted many and those who were loyal to the old capital at Richmond went with the Confederacy and those that went for the Statehood movement for their own state went with the Union. But the REASON that this area of Virginia (now West Virginia) was so important was because of the "Finger" that splits up in between Ohio and Pennsylvania. The Confederacy wanted this piece of land so that they could drive a "wedge" between the Western states of Ohia, Indiana, Illinois etc. and the Eastern Union states....Robert E. Lee was sent to West Virginia to try to keep it from seperating but in the end was given up for more valuable and important pursuits. All of this is to say, that there were many camps and training sites both Southern and Northern there in the borderlands of West Virginia/Ohio so I can say pretty confidently that they are from a recruitment site or a campsite of the Civil War. Congratulations!

 

[John987]

Re: CW Mini's?

Nice finds!! Looks like you have a place to really go over.

John

 

[GatorsMoon]

Re: CW Mini's?

Thanks for all the info guys. You all got me pumped up! I'll wear my arm out. I'm going to need a bigger coil.

 

[lairmo]

Re: CW Mini's?

Awesome Mini's!!!!
And I'm positive there are "Mini-more"!!!!!!!

 

[Company F]

Re: CW Mini's?

Nice looking rounds there.

 

[fortbball9]

Re: CW Mini's?

Yes hit that place hard.You just might find some nice buttons,plate or buckle.
Congrats.

fortbball9

 

[cwdigger]

Re: CW Mini's?

Yes indeed they are 100%, nice finds by the way, love that patina.

Cw

 

[brnn53]

Re: CW Mini's?

Definitely CW era 3 ringers. Nice digs! Those kind of relics will keep you coming back for more!
Mike

 

[allen]

Re: CW Mini's?

those are some nice cw 3 ringers..

 

[GatorsMoon]

Re: CW Mini's?

I went back this evening with a buddy and we found 1 each. They are in the same condition as the 2 far left ones in the pic. This field I'm hunting is HUGE! Approx. 1 mile long by 3/4's mile wide. There were houses there at one time in the 1800's. I know of an 1849 large cent coming out of there.
I am going to get me a bigger coil to cover more ground. A Bigfoot would be nice, or maybe on of the S.E.F. coils. I'm hooked for sure now.

Another ? Were 3 ringers used by Federal troops only or did both sides use them?
I am new to the CW relics for the most part.

 

[jeffmrgan]

Re: CW Mini's?

fort boreman was right there where the kanawha empties into the ohio. too bad cant hunt there though

 

[{Sentinel}]

Re: CW Mini's?

3 Ringers were produced by both sides. They are usually attributed to the Federals but both sides produced and when Gardners were short or in NO supply, us Southern boys used 3 ring minies just the same