Enfields with box plugs???

[Coastie59]

Hey all, dug these this past fall along with some minnies, musket balls and two halves of a cannon ball, also found the under plug for the cannon ball in what appeared as a small skirmish site. My question is, what were the wood box plugs for Thx for any input and HH!!

 

[perry2]

I was told the plug was to act as a wedge and help force the rear of the bullet into the rifling. They soon found it was not necessary// Perry

 

[hamiddetecting]

Nice

 

[wheatfinder13]

Awesome find

 

[Coastie59]

Thx wheatfinder!!!

 

[Coastie59]

Thx for explanation perry!!!

 

[howardgooden]

I have never seen any like this with the wood inside!! Nice find!!

 

[jamesbibb]

I was told the plug was to act as a wedge and help force the rear of the bullet into the rifling. They soon found it was not necessary// Perry

Thats correct.
You can take a straight pin and pierce the "boxwood" plug to try to carefully remove it to inspect the cavity for markings. Many enfields had various types of marks in the cavities. Good confederate lead there! Congrats

 

[HomeGuardDan]

Thats correct.
You can take a straight pin and pierce the "boxwood" plug to try to carefully remove it to inspect the cavity for markings. Many enfields had various types of marks in the cavities. Good confederate lead there! Congrats

I would wait for them to dry...typically once the plug dries out, they come out much easier. James is correct in this method, but want to make sure you know to let them sit for a week or so, otherwise the pin will destroy the plug. (moist/wet wood breaks apart) Typically those with plugs are earlier and contain markings, most commonly "57"

 

[jamesbibb]

I would wait for them to dry...typically once the plug dries out, they come out much easier. James is correct in this method, but want to make sure you know to let them sit for a week or so, otherwise the pin will destroy the plug. (moist/wet wood breaks apart) Typically those with plugs are earlier and contain markings, most commonly "57"

Well said Dan, he mentioned in his post they were recovered back in the fall. So they should be good n dry.

 

[HomeGuardDan]

Well said Dan, he mentioned in his post they were recovered back in the fall. So they should be good n dry.

he he I should do a better job reading first.

 

[jamesbibb]

he he I should do a better job reading first.

Ha if anybody is guilty of that its me

 

[Coastie59]

Thx guys, takeing a look at them, one bullet is marked 57, cant see any marks in the others, were they all marked

 

[HomeGuardDan]

Thx guys, takeing a look at them, one bullet is marked 57, cant see any marks in the others, were they all marked

no, many were unmarked. Perfectly normal, congrats on the 57

 

[DirtyMike]

Not all were marked. But sometimes they are very faint. I take a damp q-tip and rub inside the cavity to see if the wetness brings out any hidden detail.

 

[CSA2K]

Very cool!