Exploding Bullet?

[RiverRat3]

Found this a few months back and never really gave it a hard look. I finally got a Civil War Bullet reference book and I think I identified it as a .58 cal Gardiner Exploding bullet. I can see some writing around the base rim of the bullet. I was wondering if this was a common find and what side used the bullet? Thanks for reading. HH

 

[DigginThePast]

Very cool find. 8) Congrats! Good luck with the site.

 

[ModernMiner]

I think that is a banner find. But a single bullet making it up there Yeah right!
Never the less you have my vote!

RR,
I agree with IP. That is one great bullet find and deserves to ride the banner train.
What a BEAUTY!!!
-MM-

 

[Elliott Ness]

Great research brother. There are more out there, and I can't wait for spring to get here so that we can get back out there. What a save, I double checked mine and no such luck. You learn something new everyday. Gotta love it.

Ness

 

[vayank54]

I can't remember that exact wording but it's something like Samuel Gardiners Patent 8-5-63. I checked and there were 10,000 captued by CS troops at Chancellorsville. Someone said something about getting hit and having the bullets explode. There is an account of the soldiers aiming for the cartridge boxes causing the cartridge boxes to explode.

 

[RiverRat3]

Thanks for everyones post. Hopefully Elliott Ness and I get out there this spring and find a few more.

 

[davebien]

When they said "hit it hard" I hope they didn't mean the bullet.... lol

 

[Tattooguy67]

It seems to me that this is banner material for 3 reasons, first off that is a really cool find in and of itself, second this has generated some good historical knowledge sharing, and lastly is the fact that now that it has been recovered it will not only be viewed by friends and family but also on the forum for all to see it, so in a very real sense despite what the professionals may say you have saved a piece of history which would otherwise likely never been found! nice work and HH!

Chuck.

 

[SkyPirate]

Cool! I am always learning new things on here. Exploding bullet....I guess thats why the North won

 

[vayank54]

The confederates had a few of their own too. There are several different types of explosives.

 

[RiverRat3]

When they said "hit it hard" I hope they didn't mean the bullet.... lol

Haha, If that would happen I dont think my wife would ever let me metal detect again!

 

[allen]

thats one neat piece of CW history !!!

 

[DirtyMike]

I would say BANNER, but that's me. I love the Civil War. And what a sweet relic! Congratulations!

 

[RiverRat3]

http://www.corinthcivilwarrelics.com/bullets.html

Thanks for the link. Great site for bullet id.

 

[Newt]

I think that is a banner find. But a single bullet making it up there Yeah right!

Never the less you have my vote!

Yep!
Newt

 

[Poptopagain]

Incredible find Jason. Nice exploding Gardner bullet

 

[rogues71]

great find keep up the good work

 

[pepperj]

Learnt something day, thanks for posting it up. It's really a great find, congrats.

 

[Deepdiger60]

Interesting i never knew such a bullet existed back then did it explode on impact or a air burst ? Nice find .

 

[RiverRat3]

Interesting i never knew such a bullet existed back then did it explode on impact or a air burst ? Nice find .

Was designed to explode 1.5 seconds after initial firing. Exploding bullets were cast from pewter.

 

[silverfreak]

Very sweet find R.R.